Dismantling of a Network Specializing in Blackmail and Defamation: Hicham Jerando and His Family Involved

In a new case revealing the extent of defamation and extortion crimes on social media, the prosecutor of the Casablanca correctional court ordered, on Saturday night, the imprisonment of four individuals, including Hicham Jerando’s sister, her husband, and their two sons. Accused of participating in acts of defamation and blackmail, they will stand trial before the criminal court starting Monday.

These arrests follow a thorough investigation conducted by the National Brigade of Judicial Police after the suspects were apprehended and placed in pretrial detention under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office. The investigation was launched after a victim filed a complaint, having been subjected to a systematic defamation campaign orchestrated through suspicious pages on social media.

The case highlights the reach of an organized network led by Hicham Jerando, administrator of the “Challenge” page, which has previously been accused of conducting digital campaigns targeting public and private figures for extortion or personal vendettas. Recent investigations confirm the direct involvement of his relatives in these activities, reinforcing suspicions about his alleged role as the mastermind behind the operation.

This case is not an isolated incident. In recent years, several networks specializing in online defamation have been dismantled, exposing how digital platforms are exploited to orchestrate smear campaigns, manipulate information, and engage in blackmail against individuals or institutions.

The prosecutor’s firm stance in this case demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to combating cybercrime, particularly the growing prevalence of defamation on the Internet. This case could mark a turning point in cracking down on digital offenses, as more citizens come forward to report suspicious pages using virtual space as a cover for illegal activities.