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YouTuber Gerrando accused of running extortion network, Moroccan probe aligns with leaks
🇲🇦 Morocco /Crime & Justice

YouTuber Gerrando accused of running extortion network, Moroccan probe aligns with leaks

From Hespress · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Canadian-based YouTuber Hicham Gerrando, known for "free speech" rhetoric, is accused of running a criminal network involved in extortion and money laundering.
  • Leaked "Atlas Haqqers" data allegedly shows Gerrando extorting money from individuals, including a businessman named Reda El Amdi, for removing defamatory content.
  • Moroccan authorities reportedly had prior investigations into Gerrando's network, with evidence from the leaks aligning with judicial findings and leading to the arrest of an intermediary.

Hicham Gerrando, a Canada-based YouTuber who championed "free speech" and "exposing corruption," stands accused of operating a vast criminal enterprise built on extortion and money laundering. Recent leaks from "Atlas Haqqers" have allegedly exposed the dark side of his operations, revealing a network that extends beyond defamation into financial extortion and potentially human trafficking.

contribute financially like others

— Hicham Gerrandoallegedly said to businessman Reda El Amdi during a recorded conversation, as detailed in the leaks.

The leaked materials, presented with audio and video evidence, reportedly detail how Gerrando's network targeted individuals. One alleged victim, businessman Reda El Amdi, claims he and his family were subjected to smear campaigns. To stop the defamation, El Amdi was allegedly pressured to pay Gerrando, who, according to the leaks, acted like a "mafia godfather," coldly negotiating a price to remove damaging content.

This alleged practice of "selling honor and reputation" as a commodity has been described as Gerrando's "extortion business." The leaks suggest that digital content produced by Gerrando was not for activism but for financial gain. The evidence reportedly includes a direct conversation where Gerrando explicitly demanded El Amdi "contribute financially like others."

The story began when El Amdi found himself and his family in the line of fire of defamation, while his children's reputation was targeted through videos aimed at psychological and social destruction.

— Hespressdescribing the alleged initial targeting of Reda El Amdi by Gerrando's network.

Moroccan security forces reportedly had already been investigating Gerrando's network. The "Atlas Haqqers" leaks are said to align closely with evidence gathered through judicial investigations. These investigations reportedly led to the arrest of an intermediary, Rachid Radi, who allegedly confessed to receiving 12,000 dirhams from El Amdi in two installments, keeping 2,000 dirhams as a commission, for removing defamatory videos.

He admitted to receiving 12,000 dirhams from Reda Al-Amdi in two installments, keeping 2,000 dirhams as a commission.

— Hespressreporting on the intermediary Rachid Radi's confession regarding payments from El Amdi.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hespress in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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