Tax Authorities Probe Suspected Money Laundering in Moroccan Businesses

It all started with suspicious declarations targeting two real estate agents and an independent accountant. It was discovered that "transfer operations were allegedly concluded through private contracts at adoul offices, with the aim of later completing property transfer procedures at commercial court registries," report sources to Hespress, specifying that accountants facilitated these suspicious operations. They allegedly exploited their expertise, as well as their relationships with certain officials, to process transfer files and modify ownership data in compliance with current legal provisions.

Investigations reveal several anomalies, including the acquisition of the concerned businesses by newly created companies, operating through bank accounts showing sustained activity, marked by frequent daily deposits, recorded just a few weeks after taking possession of said assets. The cash amounts deposited in these accounts exceed the income level that these establishments should display. Another observation: the suspected companies ensure they formally comply with administrative obligations by opening current accounts, declaring employees to the National Social Security Fund, and simulating transactions with presumed suppliers, who make significant weekly withdrawals using cashable checks.

Furthermore, the exchange of information between the National Financial Intelligence Authority, the General Tax Directorate, the Foreign Exchange Office, and the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration has proven fruitful. A large number of acquisition operations of utility vehicles registered in the name of newly acquired businesses have been detected. These vehicles have been integrated into general expenses in the tax declarations of the suspected companies. However, this does not correspond to the actual volume of their activity, nor to the location of the concerned establishments.