National Police (DGSN) arrested a 42-year-old M in Casablanca for his alleged involvement in cyber extortion and threats against public order, according to a press release issued by the DGSN on Monday.
Preliminary indications suggest the individual sent emails to national and foreign institutions, including hotels, services, and schools, demanding money to prevent fictitious terrorist threats.
Investigations revealed the suspect’s identity and his act of attaching threats to the bank account of a Moroccan residing abroad due to past business disputes.
The DGSN also clarified that the suspect’s motivations were not terrorist-related, but that he threatened to detonate bombs in exchange for money.
Following the arrest, authorities seized computer equipment and digital storage devices, which are currently undergoing technical analysis to extract any digital evidence related to these criminal activities.
The suspect is in custody pending further investigation into the circumstances and motives surrounding these alleged criminal acts.
In related international incidents, the same Moroccan national suspect is believed to be responsible for the series of bomb threats causing school closures in Belgium, according to Belgian Federal Police.
Their investigation identified 15 targeted schools in Brussels and the Brabant wallon province. No explosive devices were found, and school activities resumed after thorough inspections. The incident was traced through an extensive online investigation and international cooperation.
False bomb threats in educational institutions have become a significant concern in a number of places. After a terrorist attack in Arras in October, France experienced almost 800 false bomb scares between September and mid-November.