Blackmail, Defamation, and Threats… The Dark and Hidden Face of the “Frosha” Gang Eluding Justice
A complaint filed by a responsible official in the Ministry of Interior, named “N.A.”, has unveiled an organized network headed by one “Abdelmajid Tounarti,” also known as “the Frosha,” specializing in blackmail, defamation, and the exploitation of personal information for dubious purposes.
The case began in Marrakech when “N.A.”, a district chief working at the Ministry of Interior, lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor against “Abdelmajid Tounarti,” the owner of the “Frosha” page, after she became the target of a fierce online defamation campaign. This campaign involved the unauthorized publication of personal photos and serious accusations that affected her professional integrity and private life. The harassment was not limited to online publication but escalated to explicit threats via voice messages demanding that the complainant pay a sum of money to stop the dissemination of more false information.
In her statements, the complainant indicated that “the Frosha” informed her that the source of this information was “Adil S.,” a well-known journalist, asserting that he had exchanged her photos and personal information with Tounarti. This highlights the close relationship between individuals in the media and political spheres, which has been manipulated for personal gain and narrow interests.
Investigations revealed the existence of a local network financing the “Frosha” page and supplying it with the personal information of victims. This was confirmed in the interrogation reports, where “Adil S.,” who simultaneously works as a journalist and a contractor in the construction sector, admitted to providing Tounarti with photos of the complainant and details of her private life due to previous disputes between them.
“Adil S.” confessed during the investigations that this campaign was initiated after the complainant refused to conceal irregularities in a villa construction project in which “Adil S.” was acting as an intermediary for sale. Following this refusal, he decided to take revenge by using the “Frosha” page to publish her photos and personal information. He confirmed during a live broadcast on Facebook that he had been in contact with a former local politician who held the position of deputy in the Palm neighborhood and provided him with information related to the complainant. This points to the involvement of political figures in this campaign.
Additionally, the investigation unveiled a new surprise: one local politician, named “Mahjoub F.,” had participated in an agreement with “Adil S.” and “the Frosha.” Mahjoub confirmed in the interrogation reports before the judicial police that he had contributed to fostering this alliance between fake journalists and local politicians, not to fight corruption, but to use this page for blackmail and pressure on officials. This raises questions about the impact of personal political agendas on this campaign.
Mahjoub indicated in his statements that the goal was not anti-corruption but rather serving personal interests through the exploitation of media platforms to settle political scores. He confirmed that many pressures exerted on certain officials were aimed at achieving personal gains.
A search operation was conducted at the homes of the suspects, resulting in the discovery of technical evidence confirming their involvement in the campaign. A Samsung Galaxy Ultra smartphone and another INFINIX phone, alongside a Toshiba laptop, were seized, which had been used as primary tools in managing the “Frosha” accounts and executing widespread defamation campaigns. A technical examination of the seized devices revealed that they contained sensitive data traded illegally, confirming the existence of an organized network behind this campaign.
Investigations uncovered that the “Frosha,” which had portrayed itself as an anti-corruption advocate, was actually a tool for blackmail and the use of personal information for private interests.
It is important to note that the main reason for the Frosha’s campaign against this victim — one of many victims — was her refusal, in her capacity as a local official, to overlook violations related to urban planning concerning a villa that one of the Frosha’s brokers wished to sell as an intermediary.
