By Were Kelly |
In a landmark ruling, a Moroccan court has secured its first-ever conviction for human trafficking linked to the notorious Asian scam compounds, marking a significant advance in the global fight against this modern form of slavery.Â
The court in Casablanca sentenced Nabil Moafik, a 32-year-old man, to five years in prison and a fine of $107,300 on 4 November for his role in luring victims with fake job advertisements and trafficking them to forced labour camps in Myanmar.
The case has shed light on a brutal transnational crime network that exploits thousands for large-scale cyber fraud.
According to evidence presented in court, Moafik used online ads promising high-paying jobs in Thailand’s hospitality sector to entice victims. Once they arrived, they were instead transported to locked compounds in Myanmar, where they were forced to carry out romance and investment scams under the threat of violence.
Victim testimonies were central to the prosecution. Youssef Amzouz, one of those trafficked, described the horrors he endured: “They promise you a good job, but it is a trap. I was beaten and given electric shocks until I agreed to scam people online. I thought I would die there.”
The prosecutor argued that Moafik was a key figure in this exploitation, stating, “The defendant was an essential node in a network that profits from human misery. This conviction sends a clear message that Morocco will not be a hunting ground for traffickers.”
The conviction is seen as a critical step by Moroccan authorities, who have repatriated 34 citizens from such camps through diplomatic channels. It occurs amid a global surge in these crimes, with the United Nations estimating that 120,000 people are currently trapped in similar scam compounds worldwide.
A representative from a human rights non-governmental organisation commented, “This is a landmark case. For the first time, a Moroccan court has recognised the specific horror of these scam compounds. It is a crucial step, but thousands remain trapped.”
While Moafik denied all charges, calling trafficking “against humanity,” the successful prosecution provides a blueprint for other nations to pursue similar cases.
As international awareness grows, this conviction in Casablanca signals a widening crackdown on the criminal syndicates behind these operations. It offers a measure of justice for victims and highlights the urgent, coordinated effort required to dismantle a network that thrives on deception and human suffering.
