Derb Omar warns of fraud scheme

Merchants in Casablanca's Derb Omar market are on high alert following an urgent warning from their trade association about a sophisticated scam targeting businesses. The "Ittihad Tujjjar wa Mihaniyyi Darb Omar" (Union of Merchants and Professionals of Derb Omar) has alerted its members to a recent surge in fraud cases.

The scam involves criminals posing as buyers interested in large quantities of goods. After agreeing on a deal, they send a fake bank transfer receipt, often via a banking app or email, to convince the merchant that the payment has been made. Believing the transaction is complete, the seller is then persuaded to dispatch the goods, often with the scammer repeatedly changing the delivery destination between cities like Agadir and Marrakech.

Once the goods are en route, the merchant discovers the funds never actually reached their account. The association emphasized that they have previously warned about similar schemes and reiterated the importance of not relying solely on transfer receipts. They strongly advise merchants to personally verify payments directly with their bank, either by phone or through official banking applications, before releasing any merchandise.

Merchants are also cautioned against urgent requests or last-minute changes to delivery details. The association urged anyone receiving suspicious inquiries to report them immediately to security services or the association's management. This proactive warning aims to prevent further victims of this well-organized fraudulent network.