French Tourists Duped in Marrakech Scam
A French family recently experienced a shocking scam during their vacation in Marrakech, Morocco, where they were defrauded of nearly €25,000. This unfortunate incident turned what should have been a joyous holiday into a nightmare, as the family lost their life savings to ruthless scammers.
The ordeal began in March when a family member was approached over the phone by a travel agency. Valérie, the mother, recounted, "The salesperson offered us a promotional travel package for just €600 for two people." This enticing offer led the family, consisting of Valérie, her husband, mother, aunt, and cousin, to embark on their trip to Marrakech on March 28.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a beautiful hotel complete with luxurious rooms and a swimming pool. Valérie expressed how they were even provided with a private driver in a luxurious minibus to take them on expensive excursions to Essaouira and the Ourika Valley.
However, just four days into their stay, on April 1, the travel agency arranged a meeting for them in a bar in Marrakech. Valérie described the encounter, stating, "A woman introduced herself and explained that she was conducting a quality audit for the agency." The woman gained their trust and promised a refund for their excursions, along with attractive travel packages to various destinations across the globe.
Trust Betrayed: The Scam Unfolds
On the day of the promised refund, the couple and their family were invited to a villa where they met three individuals, including a woman who claimed to be a banker. Valérie recalled, "We were told about the possibility of interesting travel deals and were offered a refund as part of the package."
Despite some reservations, the family members were reassured by the scammers and proceeded to authorize transactions using a payment terminal, inserting three different cards. When they returned to their hotel, they were horrified to discover significant withdrawals from their accounts, along with the theft of their bank cards. The couple reported that three transfers totaling €24,400 had been made from their accounts.
Upon returning to France, they filed a complaint for theft and fraud with the local gendarmerie in Beaune. An investigation is currently underway, and the case has been forwarded to Moroccan authorities, where the crime took place.
As reported by visa-algerie.com.
