Friday, August 18, 2006

Tangier police nab bank and migration fraudsters

This week police in Tangier have dismantled two criminal gangs, the first specialized in document falsification to defraud banks, and the second in organizing illegal migration.

The police arrested three people who used to swindle banks by means of fake identity documents. The monitoring of Mohamed B. 29, and Hicham L., 31, helped the police nab the two red-handed in a Tangier bank, Fouad B. 28, who faked the documents was arrested along with another man.

The three main suspects, computer technicians, opened bank accounts with computer falsified papers, withdrew the deposit in weekends at ATMs and withdrew the money once again on Monday mornings before the central server sends the account balance to agencies.

They also used names of businessmen, rich families and VIPs to benefit from the utmost withdrawal amount at ATMs. Before operating in Tangier, The View from Fez understands that the gang had used the same modus operandi in Rabat.

During the raid at the cozy residential house they rented, the police seized computers and other material for document falsification, as well as some 40 identity cards, a dozen bank cards and several check books.

On Wednesday, the same police brigade arrested five members of the gang specialized in faking documents used to help people illegally immigrate. The police seized fake passports, stay permits and other police and consulate stamps, at the apartment rented by the gang.

Noura M., 25 and Youness F., 23, are believed to be the masterminds of the group. They also are computer experts.

Six other people, in charge of finding prospective immigrants and other illegal matters, are wanted by the police in this case.


Tags:

No comments: