A contractor has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding 34 victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. He had extracted 20,000 dirhams from each individual under the pretense of aiding in reconstruction efforts but vanished without delivering services. The court has ordered him to pay compensation to the victims.
The Taroudant Court of First Instance has imposed a three-year prison sentence on a contractor found guilty of defrauding the victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. Additionally, the court ordered the contractor to compensate each of the 34 victims with 30,000 dirhams, reflecting the financial losses incurred by these individuals. This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by earthquake victims seeking reconstruction assistance in the aftermath of the disaster that struck on September 8, 2023.
The fraudulent activities came to light when several victims reported to authorities that the contractor had collected 20,000 dirhams from them. He falsely promised to engage in a reconstruction program for the affected areas in Taroudant province, but ultimately failed to fulfill his obligations. Following his disappearance after collecting the initial payments, the victims had no choice but to pursue legal action against him.
As complaints amassed, law enforcement launched a national search for the fugitive contractor. Investigations revealed that he had devised a deceitful scheme targeting 34 families, accumulating significant amounts of money without delivering any services. Members of the Royal Gendarmerie diligently followed his trail, leading to his apprehension in a village near Aoulouz at the beginning of January.
In summary, the sentencing of the contractor serves as a crucial step towards ensuring justice for the victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. This case underscores the need for vigilance and legal recourse in protecting individuals from fraudulent practices, particularly in times of crisis where they are most vulnerable. The court’s decision and ordered compensation reflect an effort to mitigate the damages faced by these families.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
