Fez: Dismantling of a fictitious migration network led by a notary and intermediaries

The judicial police in Fez, in close coordination with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), successfully dismantled a criminal network specializing in migration-related fraud on Saturday, September 13. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals, including the owner of an employment mediation company, a notary, and two intermediaries.

According to initial investigation data, the suspects used a fraudulent method of luring victims with false promises of work contracts abroad. These contracts, allegedly obtained by the agency run by the main suspect, were sold for 50,000 dirhams before being legalized as fictitious documents by the arrested notary.

Simultaneous search operations in Fez, Meknes, Sefrou, and Imouzzer led to the seizure of falsified work contracts, receipts of transfers issued by victims numbering several dozen, as well as identity documents, passports, computer equipment, and stamps used in the fraudulent activity.

The suspects, currently in custody, are under judicial investigation supervised by the competent prosecutor. The inquiry aims to clarify all circumstances and ramifications of the case, identify all victims, and determine the precise roles of those involved.

This operation highlights the constant vigilance of security services against criminal networks exploiting the vulnerability of migration candidates. It also underscores the need to raise public awareness of the dangers of unverified migration offers and to strengthen control mechanisms to counter this type of organized fraud.