The Office of the Head of Government in Morocco has issued a warning about a fraudulent X account impersonating Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This account promotes a fictitious cryptocurrency, prompting officials to alert citizens against scams. The incident coincides with a similar case reported by Bank Al-Maghrib, further emphasizing the rise of sophisticated digital fraud targeting government institutions. Meanwhile, Morocco has witnessed a notable increase in cryptocurrency users despite regulatory challenges, with plans for a comprehensive framework underway.
In Doha, the Office of the Head of Government issued a warning regarding a fraudulent account on X (formerly Twitter) impersonating Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This account has been promoting a fictitious Moroccan cryptocurrency, which has raised concerns for citizens’ safety regarding potential scams. An official release noted, “The only official account reporting the activities of the Head of Government and the institution of the Head of Government on platform X is: @ChefGov_ma.”
The alert comes shortly after Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), Morocco’s central bank, reported a similar fraud incident. Scammers had produced counterfeit media content that “fraudulently uses Bank Al-Maghrib’s identity and the image of its Governor, apparently using artificial intelligence mechanisms” to promote a false investment platform. Both the Head of Government’s office and BAM responded promptly to inform the public and safeguard their official communication channels.
To combat these impersonation attempts, Akhannouch’s office advised, “all citizens and social media users to exercise increased vigilance against fake accounts and to rely solely on information from official sources.” The central bank has expressed its intention to pursue legal action if necessary to protect its identity from misuse. This pattern of digital fraud targeting Moroccan government entities is becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Morocco’s cryptocurrency landscape has evolved significantly over recent years. In 2017, the government enacted a complete ban on cryptocurrency transactions to prevent money laundering and criminal activities. Nevertheless, by 2019, approximately 3.5 million Moroccans had invested in various digital currencies, marking the start of increased crypto adoption.
As of 2023, Morocco ranked as the 13th highest nation for Bitcoin usage, according to Insider Monkey’s analysis. Chainalysis ranked Morocco 20th in its global crypto index, highlighting the country’s established position in the digital currency sector despite existing regulatory challenges. By 2024, the number of cryptocurrency holders in Morocco reached 6 million, or about 16% of the population, with plans for a comprehensive regulatory framework announced by Bank Al-Maghrib Governor Abdellatif Jouahri by year-end.
In conclusion, the recent fraudulent activities impersonating Moroccan government officials on social media highlight a growing trend of cyber fraud. Both the Head of Government and Bank Al-Maghrib have taken decisive measures to alert citizens and protect their identities. The state of cryptocurrency in Morocco reflects a complex relationship between regulation and adoption, with significant increases in user engagement despite past prohibitions. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and rely on official communication channels, as the digital landscape evolves.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
