Phone scam targets rural residents in Larache province under pretense of social aid

Social Aid Scam Targets Vulnerable Rural Residents

Ksar El Kebir, Larache Province – A wave of phone scams targeting residents in rural villages across Larache Province is causing alarm. Victims are receiving calls from individuals posing as officials involved in Morocco’s social aid programs, attempting to extract personal and financial information.

Deceptive Tactics and Stolen Funds

One villager near Ksar El Kebir reported receiving multiple calls from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be verifying details for the distribution of monthly social aid, requesting his personal identification number and account information from the agency where he typically receives support.

Sources familiar with the situation reveal that the scammers are exploiting the expectations of economically vulnerable individuals by impersonating officials. Victims, deceived into revealing sensitive data, become targets for having funds withdrawn from their accounts.

One resident discovered a significant sum had been withdrawn from his account at a local financial agency in Ksar El Kebir following a call from a man claiming to represent the social aid program in Rabat. The timing of the call and the withdrawal strongly suggests fraudulent activity.

Another resident reported being repeatedly contacted with requests for his national ID number and the serial code associated with his social aid registration. Experts warn that such details should never be provided over the phone.

Rising Scams and Urgent Need for Awareness

These schemes appear to be on the rise, disproportionately affecting vulnerable rural populations who may lack formal bank accounts or digital literacy. While authorities have yet to release an official statement, these incidents highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and stronger safeguards against cyber and phone-based fraud, particularly in remote areas.