A fraud case has just hit the headlines in Essaouira following the arrest of a young man born in Fkih Ben Saleh in 1980 and holder of a law degree.

The accused is charged with identity theft of judicial and military officials and fraud by posing as a judge, a King's prosecutor, or even an officer of the FAR. According to security sources, the accused was placed under surveillance by the judicial police, following information reporting his suspicious activities.

Luxury car, a member of the auxiliary forces at the wheel, chic clothes, and a VIP residence. This is the image the accused forged for himself to swindle 1.5 million DH from 16 victims to whom he had promised transport licences and jobs.

Arrested by the judicial police, the defendant defended himself strongly by claiming to belong to the judicial body of the Safi Court of Appeal. Claims that pushed the security forces to deepen their investigation into him. Searching his car allowed them to seize fake certificates, judicial files, as well as photos of several citizens. Faced with the evidence, he ended up confessing to his crimes.