The police prefecture of Marrakech has taken a stand against the recent dissemination of a misleading video that implicated a local restaurant owner in alleged fraud. On June 14, 2026, the authorities responded to a video circulating on social media that depicted a restaurant owner denying entry to a foreign tourist, who subsequently claimed that she was charged an exorbitant price for a pizza. However, preliminary investigations quickly discredited these allegations. The police confirmed that they had not received any prior reports or complaints regarding the events depicted in the video, prompting them to launch an inquiry aimed at identifying the restaurant owner and gathering his testimony.
Further investigations revealed that the incident occurred more than a week prior to the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, during which the restaurant owner refused the tourist entry due to her visibly intoxicated state and disruptive behavior, which was disturbing other patrons. Additionally, the inquiry uncovered that the restaurant in question did not even serve pizza, thus nullifying the basis for any claims regarding overcharging for a meal. The police explicitly stated that "the events do not relate to the provision of a meal for an inflated price." The video in question failed to document any theft, reported fraud, or commercial dispute brought to the attention of the authorities; rather, it depicted an old incident that was manipulated to create a false narrative.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding the video’s publication and complete the hearing of the restaurant owner. They are also working to trace the origins of the misleading recording, which has unjustly exposed a Marrakech restaurateur to unfounded accusations. This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially in the age of social media where misinformation can quickly lead to reputational damage.
As reported by barlamane.com.
