Two brothers have been arrested in Casablanca over a visa scam that tricked women into setting up fake businesses, which were then used to buy cars on credit.
Morocco’s National Brigade of Judicial Police caught the pair, aged 35 and 40, on Friday. One of them is already known to the authorities.
Police say the men lured women by offering to help them get Schengen visas for travel to Europe. But instead of travel documents, the women found themselves unknowingly listed as company owners. Their personal documents and cheques were used to purchase at least 20 vehicles, which were later sold illegally.
So far, three victims have been identified, but police believe more may be involved.
The case comes as Morocco ranks fourth worldwide for Schengen visa applications, behind only China, India and Turkey. In 2024, Moroccans submitted over 606,000 applications, despite growing frustration over the process.
Many applicants say it’s become nearly impossible to book visa appointments through official channels. Intermediaries have flooded the system, snapping up slots and reselling them for thousands of dirhams.
Moroccan YouTuber Bilal Fraiha recently spoke out on social media, saying he was asked to pay MAD 4,000 ($400) just to book an appointment that’s supposed to be free. Others say they’ve been charged as much as MAD 6,000 ($600).
Fraiha urged the authorities to crack down on the black market in visa appointments, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, police are still investigating the Casablanca case, searching for other suspects who may be linked to the network.
The two men remain in custody as the inquiry continues.
