Contractor Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Al Haouz Earthquake Victims
A Moroccan contractor has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay compensation to 34 victims for defrauding them following the Al Haouz earthquake. The contractor had collected funds for a nonexistent reconstruction program, leading to a national search for his apprehension.
The Taroudant Court of First Instance has recently sentenced a contractor to three years of imprisonment for defrauding victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. Additionally, the court has ordered the contractor to pay 30,000 dirhams in compensation to each of the 34 affected individuals. This case came to light following multiple complaints from the victims who were misled during the disastrous aftermath of the earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, 2023.
Victims reported that the contractor solicited 20,000 dirhams from each person with the promise of their participation in a reconstruction program intended for the earthquake-stricken areas. However, after receiving the payments, the contractor failed to fulfill his obligations and eventually disappeared. This prompted the victims to pursue justice, as noted by Al-Sabah newspaper.
As the number of complaints escalated, a national search warrant was issued for the contractor by the security services. Investigations revealed that he had devised fraudulent schemes aimed at defrauding 34 families, accumulating significant sums of money in the process. Members of the Royal Gendarmerie diligently tracked his movements and located him in a village near the Aoulouz community, where he was apprehended in early January.
In conclusion, the Taroudant Court’s decision reflects a commitment to justice for the victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. The contractor’s actions not only resulted in financial losses for numerous families but also underscored the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations during humanitarian crises. This case serves as a cautionary tale regarding the consequences of fraudulent activities targeting disaster victims.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
