Moroccan Contractor Sentenced for Defrauding Earthquake Victims

A contractor was sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding Al Haouz earthquake victims. He collected payments for a reconstruction program but failed to deliver, leading to multiple complaints. A search warrant was issued, and he was eventually apprehended by authorities in a nearby village.

A contractor in Morocco was sentenced to three years in prison by the Taroudant Court of First Instance for deceiving victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. The court also ordered him to compensate each of the 34 victims with 30,000 dirhams. The verdict followed numerous complaints from individuals affected by the September 8, 2023 earthquake, who alleged that the contractor collected 20,000 dirhams each for a non-existent reconstruction program.

Victims testified that after receiving their payments, the contractor failed to fulfill his contractual obligations and disappeared, leaving them without further assistance in their reconstruction efforts. This prompted victims to report the fraud to authorities. As complaints increased, security forces issued a national search warrant for the contractor, who had targeted these families with fraudulent schemes.

The Royal Gendarmerie’s investigations eventually traced the contractor to a village near Aoulouz. He was apprehended in early January, following a thorough investigation into his activities. Overall, the contractor’s fraudulent actions resulted in significant financial loss for the families who sought repair and support after the disaster.

The case highlights the severe repercussions of fraud targeting vulnerable communities following natural disasters. The court’s decision serves as a warning to those who exploit disaster victims for personal gain. The sentence and compensation awarded may help restore some sense of justice for the affected families, emphasizing the importance of accountability in such situations.

Original Source: en.yabiladi.com