Moroccan authorities have exposed a large-scale fraud network that has been siphoning billions of dirhams from the national treasury through sophisticated customs manipulation.
The investigation, which is still ongoing, has revealed widespread malpractice affecting key trade hubs across the country.
Customs officials disclosed that numerous import-export companies were involved in illicit schemes ranging from the underdeclaration of goods to evade taxes, to overinvoicing designed to divert public funds.
These methods have not only undermined the integrity of the customs system but also triggered substantial financial losses.
Preliminary findings indicate that significant sums of money were transferred abroad through opaque banking channels, raising concerns over large-scale organized fraud.
Investigators suspect that certain companies deliberately falsified their invoices to inflate profit margins and exploit state incentives.
In response to these revelations, customs offices in Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir — Morocco’s key port cities — have intensified inspections. Authorities are cross-checking import declarations, financial statements, and trade documents in an effort to dismantle the network and prevent further losses.
“These practices represent a serious threat to the national economy and to the principles of fair trade,” customs officials said.
“Our mission is to ensure transparency and uphold the law across all trade activities.”
The inquiry is expected to continue for several months, with legal proceedings likely against the companies found complicit in these illicit operations. Officials have stressed that the case highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight and enhanced transparency in international trade processes.
This latest development underscores Morocco’s determination to combat financial crime and restore confidence in its trade infrastructure at a time when global commerce is increasingly under scrutiny.
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