A network specialized in bank loan fraud and diverting CNSS social security benefits has been dismantled in Casablanca. The investigation conducted by the Royal Gendarmerie uncovered a scheme based on shell companies and fake employees. The case was reported by Assabah, cited by Le360.
The inquiry reportedly began after a woman filed a complaint while trying to obtain medical coverage. She discovered that she was already listed as an active employee of a company and registered as a beneficiary of social benefits.
Casablanca CNSS fraud: citizens registered as fake employees
According to details reported by Assabah, the network allegedly started creating fictitious companies as early as 2019.
Those implicated are said to have approached unemployed people, women and individuals in precarious situations. They allegedly offered to register them officially with the CNSS.
The victims then signed various documents without knowing how they would actually be used.
Their names subsequently appeared in company records as employees. According to the investigation reported in the press, the network used these declarations to obtain social benefits, in particular family allowances.
The people concerned were reportedly unaware that such declarations had been made in their name.
Bank loans obtained using falsified data
The network is believed not to have limited itself to social benefits.
After giving these companies the appearance of legality, the suspects allegedly put together files to obtain substantial bank loans.
The loan applications were reportedly based on fake accounting documents and falsified financial information. The amounts mentioned are said to reach several hundred million centimes.
According to information reported by Assabah, the funds were notably used to purchase luxury vehicles.
The vehicles were then resold in order to quickly recover cash.
Companies shut down then replaced
The investigation also revealed a strategy designed to complicate inspections and oversight.
When the first difficulties arose, the companies involved would reportedly cease operations or be transferred to third parties.
Those implicated then allegedly created new structures to continue their activities.
This way of operating is believed to have allowed the network to multiply the number of companies used in its fraudulent schemes.
A complaint exposes the scheme
The case started with an unusual administrative situation.
A woman wanted to access basic medical coverage. The relevant services reportedly informed her that she was already declared as an active employee and was receiving social benefits.
The victim then filed a complaint.
Investigators from the Royal Gendarmerie in Casablanca used the available information to identify the company concerned. They then tracked down its manager and continued their inquiries.
According to Assabah, the interrogations also led to a confession from an alleged accomplice. He reportedly admitted to the organized creation of front companies.
Main suspect wanted under 27 search warrants
Checks carried out during the investigation also brought another element to light.
The main suspected ringleader was already the subject of 27 nationwide search warrants in connection with cases involving the issuance of bad cheques.
This information gives the case a new dimension, as investigations continue to determine the full extent of the network and the damage caused.
A case that spans two key sectors
This case highlights an alleged system that appears to have exploited both social protection mechanisms and bank financing procedures.
On one side, fictitious CNSS declarations allegedly made it possible to claim social security benefits. On the other, the companies were used to submit fraudulent loan applications to banks.
Investigators must now determine how many companies were involved, how many people were used as fake employees and the total amount of money at stake.
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