In a significant operation, the financial and economic unit of the judicial police in Fes has apprehended a man and his mother on allegations of defrauding individuals seeking to illegally immigrate to Italy. The arrests occurred on Wednesday, leading to their presentation before the public prosecutor at the local court.
The prosecution has charged the primary suspect with fraud and facilitating the illegal exit of Moroccan citizens from national territory, while his mother faces charges of complicity in the fraud. Following the proceedings, the son was remanded to the local prison in Bourkaiz, whereas his mother was granted temporary release, and both were referred to the misdemeanor court in Fes, where their trial commenced on Thursday.
Sources informed that the case emerged following a complaint from a victim who alleged that the suspects defrauded him of 85,000 dirhams, promising assistance for illegal immigration to Italy via Libya. The victim had initially communicated with the main suspect, who indicated his capability to help him reach Italy, leading to an agreement on a financial arrangement that involved multiple payments.
Upon his arrival in Libya, the victim found himself alongside several other potential migrants in a shelter, where the crossing process became complicated, resulting in the detention of many individuals. According to his statements, the victim was compelled to send additional funds to secure his release after already having paid significant amounts related to the immigration process.
The financial transactions discussed during the investigation included amounts of 50,000, 30,000, and 15,000 dirhams, culminating in the total claimed by the victim of 85,000 dirhams, which he said he had either delivered or transferred to the accused or their associates involved in the immigration scheme.
The primary suspect acknowledged his communication with an individual nicknamed 'El-Hajj Ilyas,' who is reportedly active in organizing illegal immigration to Italy from Libya, asserting that he acted as an intermediary between this person and those wishing to immigrate.
According to the information obtained, the suspect admitted to receiving a fee for his intermediary services but denied that his mother received any of the funds alleged by the victim, except for an advance payment of 20,000 dirhams for travel expenses to Libya.
In her defense, the mother of the suspect denied any involvement in the alleged crimes, asserting that the accusations against her were baseless and that she only received the aforementioned amount.
The investigation also involved a confrontation between the parties, where the victim stood firm on his claims regarding the sums he paid for assistance with immigration, while the primary suspect confirmed that he acted as an intermediary for the victim through 'El-Hajj Ilyas,' for which he received a fee for each individual seeking to immigrate.
Additionally, the victim returned to the police station with a video recording, claiming it contained evidence of the primary suspect's role as an intermediary in exchange for financial compensation. Upon reviewing the footage, the suspect admitted to being the individual featured and acknowledged receiving 5,000 dirhams for each person he assisted in immigrating to Italy on behalf of 'El-Hajj Ilyas.'
After the investigation concluded, both suspects were presented to the public prosecutor, who decided to keep the main suspect in custody while allowing his mother to remain free, leading to the initiation of their trial on Thursday at the misdemeanor court in Fes.
As reported by goud.ma.
