“Fake Offers” Flooding Stores and Platforms: Moroccan Observatory Promises Legal Action Against Perpetrators
The Moroccan Consumer Protection Observatory has warned against the alarming rise of food products being sold at suspiciously low prices, both in retail shops and online platforms. It announced plans to take legal action against anyone found guilty of marketing questionable goods or misleading consumers with fake offers.
In a statement, the observatory highlighted that this phenomenon has worsened in recent months, noting a widespread emergence of advertisements promoting what are known as “shock offers.” These offers feature food products priced significantly below their actual market value, such as canned goods sold for just two dirhams, despite their true price exceeding seven dirhams, and cheeses and oils marketed for less than half their usual price. There have also been reports of products of unknown origin or nearing expiration being offered under slogans like “stock clearance” or “last chance.”
The statement pointed out that these campaigns are especially concentrated in cities such as Casablanca (specifically in the Aïn Sebaâ and Ben Msik areas), Rabat, Tangier, Marrakesh, and Fes, targeting a wide range of consumers seeking low prices amid challenging economic conditions.
The observatory explained that the “shock offer” method, which entails exorbitant discounts of over 70% and presenting inflated original prices next to reduced rates, has transitioned in Morocco from a marketing technique to an illegal means of deceiving consumers and promoting goods that do not meet safety standards, including some that are expired.
The observatory confirmed that such practices clearly violate several Moroccan laws, including Law 31.08 concerning consumer protection, which prohibits misleading advertising, and Law 104.12 regulating competition and prices, which criminalizes deceptive commercial practices. Additionally, Law 28.07 on food safety prohibits the display of any product that does not comply with safety conditions.
The observatory emphasized that what is occurring “is no longer just unethical marketing but direct fraud that threatens the health and safety of citizens.” It expressed its intention to file formal complaints with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), and the public prosecutor against all parties involved in these practices.
Furthermore, the observatory urged consumers to remain vigilant, avoid falling for enticing prices, verify the source of products and their expiration dates, and report any stores or online pages that raise suspicions.
