When a retiree from the Royal Palace tricks the Moroccan elite

The case came to light in May last year, when the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication filed a complaint against the usurper for "fraud" and swindling, reports Al Akhbar. The accused had contacted him several times, introducing himself as an official in the Royal Cabinet, and had asked him for explanations about the suspension of a manager, as well as the promotion of a department head within the ministry. He had also questioned the official about the reason for the exclusion of a Canadian company from the list of candidates to be granted a film production permit.

The investigation opened by the competent public prosecutor’s office led to the arrest of the accused in El Jadida. The defendant is said to have defrauded and swindled several personalities holding positions of responsibility in the public administration. These were mostly well-known politicians, cabinet directors of ministries and heads of government institutions. The convicted person is a retiree from the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery, which allowed him to easily usurp the identity of the officials. Through his fraudulent maneuvers, he managed to obtain quarry operating permits, promotions for civil servants in the ministries or tickets for the Atlas Lions football matches.

According to the investigation, the defendant did not only target personalities among his victims. He also swindled private individuals. With the help of an accomplice, he managed to extort 8,000 dirhams from a family man who wanted to have his son recruited into the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). The victim was able to recover half the amount when he threatened to file a complaint. During his trial, the defendant admitted the facts and was sentenced to three years in prison. His accomplice was sentenced to eight months in prison.