A beggar was imprisoned in Morocco after a video clip, which circulated on social media, showed her changing her clothes and riding in a luxury Audi K9 car resulting in the Moroccan security services in Agadir to arrest her on the charge under Article 326 of the Moroccan Criminal Penal Code, which states that "anyone who has the means of subsistence or is able to find work but is accustomed to practicing regular begging is punishable from one to six months in prison."

Named by Moroccan media as "the rich beggar" or "moulat 4x4” (owner of 4x4), she was caught in the act of begging, after having carefully parked her 4x4 car in an out of sight alley and then changing from her luxurious clothes to a djellaba and an almost full veil. To pull off the trick, she targeted shop owners, passers-by and knocked on the doors of certain homes crying and pleading for help in the Taghazout area (which I love, it’s one of a the most favorite spot when it comes to surfing. I’ve interviewed many surfers, and they’ve introduced me to this piece of paradise that I fell totally in love with). Many of these surfers consider it Morocco’s surfing capital.

Many donated money believing that she was genuinely in need, not thinking for one second that she has all of the means in the world (at least in Morocco). When they run into this fake beggar, her appearance is so convincing, that who wouldn’t believe that she is a wealthy beggar who entered this world of business and commerce after the death of her husband, with whom she had three kids, owns a house, and has been an immigrant in Italy for several years, living a life of extravagance and luxury (that people in her neighborhood in Teugza, Agadir suburbs, know about), but as a result of the global economic crisis due to the "Corona" pandemic and border closures, the poor lady lost her privileges, and had to resort to sneakiness to get her way and more cash.

Now, she ends up in prison for exploiting people’s kindness and not genuinely being poor. Personally, I know that giving money to a beggar is a personal choice, but I’d rather give them food than cash. Being scammed for food over money makes me feel better in a way and the Moroccan continues…

By Simo bb