Fraudulent X Account Impersonates Morocco’s Prime Minister in Crypto Scam
The Moroccan government has warned about a fake X account impersonating Prime Minister Akhannouch to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency. This follows similar fraudulent activities involving Bank Al-Maghrib. With a rising interest in cryptocurrencies among Moroccans, officials urge vigilance against scams while planning regulatory measures to safeguard digital currency transactions.
The Office of the Head of Government in Morocco has issued a warning regarding a fraudulent account on X (formerly Twitter) impersonating Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This fake account promotes a non-existent Moroccan cryptocurrency, leading officials to alert the public about potential scams. The official account for the Head of Government is @ChefGov_ma, as stated in their release.
The warning follows a similar incident reported by Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), the central bank of Morocco, where scammers created deceptive media utilizing the bank’s identity and that of its Governor. This fraudulent content pushed a false investment platform promising guaranteed returns, prompting both the Head of Government and BAM to act swiftly and inform the public of these digital impersonation attempts.
In light of the fraudulent activity, Akhannouch’s office has advised citizens and social media users to remain vigilant against fake accounts and to rely only on verified official sources. Additionally, BAM has indicated it will take legal measures to protect its identity and image from further fraud attempts.
The rise of these scams illustrates a concerning trend of sophisticated digital fraud aimed at Moroccan government institutions and officials. Notably, cryptocurrency in Morocco has undergone significant transformation; the government initially banned crypto transactions in 2017 due to concerns regarding money laundering and illegal activities.
Despite the ban, by 2019, approximately 3.5 million Moroccans had started investing in digital currencies, leading to a substantial rise in crypto adoption. By 2023, Morocco ranked as the 13th highest nation globally in Bitcoin usage, while Chainalysis placed it 20th in their global crypto index, reflecting the country’s increasing engagement with digital currencies.
As of 2024, the number of cryptocurrency holders in Morocco reached 6 million, equating to roughly 16% of the population. The Governor of Bank Al-Maghrib, Abdellatif Jouahri, has announced intentions to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework addressing cryptocurrency by the end of this year.
The fraudulent impersonation of Moroccan government officials on social media highlights the urgent need for public vigilance against scams. Despite regulatory challenges, Morocco is experiencing a notable surge in cryptocurrency interest and adoption among its citizens. Authorities are committed to protecting their identities and ensuring that the public receives accurate information from official channels, while also planning regulatory frameworks to address the evolving landscape of digital currency in the country.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
