Dozens of victims of the “Charity Group” scam in Tangier have taken to the streets, demanding the return of their life savings which they lost to the fraudulent scheme.
The “Charity Group,” known locally as “Al-Khair Group,” first emerged in 2022, soliciting funds through social media.
Operating outside any legal NGO framework, they exploited the Moroccan tradition of “Daret”—a rotating savings system where mostly women contribute money regularly, with one woman benefiting each time. However, in this case, Karima, the alleged mastermind, and her associates took all the funds for herself.
Estimates of the total amount defrauded vary, with some placing the total sum in the billions. Some of the complaints received by Tangier’s security authorities indicate individual losses of up to 300 million MAD, with other claims ranging from 20 to 30 million MAD.
Karima, now in custody, is believed to have orchestrated the scam. The fraudsters used video content to lure potential victims, falsely claiming that the investments would yield financial returns while also supporting charitable causes.
The scam was so successful that it extended beyond Morocco’s borders, targeting Moroccan expatriates in Europe. To establish trust, the group initially paid out returns to early investors, but as the scheme expanded, thousands of victims saw their money—often their life savings—disappear.
As the investigation continues, more complaints are expected to flood Tangier’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and police departments. Victims are pressing authorities to recover the lost funds and bring those responsible to justice.
In addition to Karima, 13 other suspects in the fraud network are now in custody and under investigation.