According to data that has been provided by Schengen Visa Statistics, it was mentioned that Moroccans filed 4,23,201 visa applications in 2022. And the highest number of applicants were aiming for a visa to Spain. As Moroccans are required to get a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen area, there are many unsuspecting citizens who end up falling prey to visa fraudulent schemes. Recently, a city’s member of the council had been sentenced for selling forged Schengen visas to Moroccans. Here’s all about this Addressed!
A Moroccan City Councillor Is Arrested For Selling Forged Schengen Visa
In a recent report, by Schengen Visa Info, it was revealed that Moroccan police have arrested a member of the Tangier City Council. He had been arrested due to his involvement in the selling of Schengen visas to the citizens. According to the authorities, the city’s council member had been sentenced to one year in prison and has been fined around €91. In case you’re wondering, this punishment had been given for selling a Schengen Visa that had been obtained illegally at the Spanish Consulate General in Tangier.
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There Have Also Been Other Reports Of Such Fraud Dealings
However, it’s worth mentioning that besides the council member, another person who had been partaking in the scheme has also been punished. The other person has been given 10 months in prison! Going by the reports of the local media, it was mentioned that the Tangier’s member of the council sold these Spain, Schengen Visas in exchange for money. As it happens, a Moroccan citizen who had fallen prey to this well-planned fraud had revealed that they had to pay €15,000 to the council member in order to apply on their behalf for this visa.
With this development, it’s pertinent to mention that there have been reports of similar cases wherein people said that they had been promised a residence permit and even a work contract in a European country. However, what they received was just a Schengen Visa that allowed them to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days. The convicted city’s member of the council, as mentioned in the report would require people who were interested in the visas to illegally sign a fake contract.
So, in addition, two other members of the council to Spanish consulate employees are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in the illegal issue of Schengen visas to Moroccans.
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