Justice Served: End of the Line for Hicham Jerando, the Unmasked Cyber Scammer sentenced to 30 days in prison
The curtain has fallen on a case that stirred indignation within the Moroccan Bar and captured the attention of Canadian media. Canadian justice has spoken: Hicham Jerando, notorious for his malicious online activities, has been found guilty of extortion and fraud against lawyer Abderrahim Hnin. A respected legal professional, Hnin was targeted by defamation campaigns and blackmail attempts orchestrated by Jerando, who weaponized digital platforms to tarnish his reputation and attack his integrity.
The verdict is crystal clear. Jerando has been sentenced to 30 days in prison and 150 hours of community service. While relatively short, the sentence carries strong symbolic and legal weight. It affirms that online actions have real-world consequences, and that justice—across borders—can and will address cybercrime with the seriousness it deserves.
The financial aspect of the ruling is also telling: Jerando has been ordered to pay CAD 10,000 in damages for the moral and material harm caused to Hnin. This amount, while not erasing the attacks, serves as formal recognition of the severity of the offense. For Hnin, it’s not about money—it’s about principle: the dignity of a legal professional cannot be trampled with impunity.
This ruling fits into a broader context where courts are increasingly confronted with the toxicity of social media and its many abuses. It sets a vital precedent showing that digital intimidation, online defamation, and cyber-extortion are no longer part of a legal grey area. Online criminals are now being held accountable—just like any other offender.
The Jerando-Hnin case thus stands as a warning. Far from being an isolated incident, it highlights the modern challenges of digital reputation, online slander, and media manipulation. Most importantly, it reinforces a timeless truth: lies may be loud, but justice speaks louder. And this time, it spoke with the full weight of the law—and the quiet dignity of those who uphold it.