Rabat – The Regional Brigade of the Judicial Police in Fez arrested four individuals on Saturday, suspected of running a criminal network that defrauded people seeking to emigrate abroad. 

The operation was carried out in close coordination with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).

According to early findings of the investigation, the suspects included the owner of an employment mediation company, a notary, and two intermediaries. 

Their scheme allegedly involved luring victims with fraudulent work contracts abroad, issued through the agency managed by the principal suspect. 

In return, victims paid amounts reaching up to MAD 50,000 ($5,000), while the fake contracts were signed under the supervision of the notary.

Police operations were carried out simultaneously in Fez, Meknes, Sefrou, and Imouzzer, leading to the arrest of the suspects. 

Searches uncovered copies of falsified contracts, bank transfer slips believed to have been issued by dozens of victims, as well as identity papers, passports, computer equipment, and official stamps used in the scheme.

The suspects have been placed in police custody under the supervision of the competent prosecutor’s office. 

The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full circumstances of the case and determine the extent of the criminal acts attributed to those arrested, according to the same security source.

Such cases have become increasingly frequent in Morocco, where many citizens look abroad in search of better opportunities and fall prey to such fraudulent schemes. 

Authorities have stepped up security measures and investigations to counter these networks, stressing the need to protect vulnerable people from exploitation and to reinforce trust in legal migration channels.