Morocco’s DGSN Dismantles Blackmail, Kidnapping Network

Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) arrested seven suspects in Casablanca on January 18. The criminal network included a security officer working in the security prefecture of Casablanca and a wanted fugitive.

The dismantled criminal network was involved in the kidnapping, detention, and blackmailing of an individual active in trafficking in cryptocurrency “Bitcoin” exchange, DGSN press release indicated.

Driven by easy gain, the alleged victim agreed with the criminal network to enter into an illegal deal of cryptocurrency exchange.

The criminal network then set a trap for the victim, luring him to a house in the suburbs of Casablanca where he found himself in front of five individuals who impersonated police officers.

Disguised as police officers, the suspects performed a mock arrest of the victim and proceeded to blackmail him.

Morocco’s National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ), based on information provided by the DGSN, intervened at the right moment, arresting the criminal suspects in flagrante delicto while they were carrying out a fake search at the victim’s home, located in Dar Bouazza, a coastal town near Casablanca.

The press release further noted that BNPJ’s search of the victim’s home found a significant amount of money exceeding MAD 1.1 billion ($118.6 million).

Meanwhile, BNPJ’s search operation of the suspected individuals’ houses resulted in the seizure of cell phones, a motorcycle, and four cars. In the vehicles, officers found two weapons and a glove box designed to be used for criminal purposes.

The press release concluded that the five defendants, who are directly involved in the criminal acts, were kept in custody.  The judicial police also arrested the security officer’s brother and his fiancee, and the alleged victim for further investigations. The investigation will now determine the causes and motives of this case and its probable relationship with money laundering.