Using a page called “Academic Center for Researcher Support”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Squad at Souk Ahras Security, in coordination with the Cybercrimes Squad, was able to address a case related to fraud, electronic fraud, and money laundering. By exploiting a page on “Facebook”, bearing the name “Academic Center for Supporting Researchers”.
The facts of the case date back to October 2025, when the defendants began targeting university students and researchers. By promoting purported academic and research services.
These fictitious services included assistance in preparing scientific articles and research, and publishing them in classified journals locally and internationally. Including journals indexed in well-known scientific databases.
Converting fraud proceeds into virtual assets to hide their source
The administrators of the aforementioned page were luring their victims by making them believe they could provide the advertised services. Before directing them to communicate via the “WhatsApp” application, and asking them to transfer sums of money.
Members of the criminal group direct the collected funds to current postal accounts belonging to other people. As part of a fraudulent method aimed at collecting financial returns and concealing their true source.
The in-depth investigations and technical research carried out by the security services made it possible to identify the suspects and reveal aspects of their work methods. Including collecting funds and converting them into virtual assets.
Inspections carried out within the framework of extending jurisdiction also resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of equipment, documents, and SIM cards. In addition to elements related to the trading of virtual assets, some of them are suspected of being used in the criminal activity under investigation.
35 fraud victims and 419 people whose names SIM cards may have been registered
In the context of continuing investigations, the investigating authorities were initially able to identify 35 potential victims of fraud, from various states of the country.
In addition to monitoring data related to 419 people, whose names may have several SIM cards registered. According to the results of the investigations and seized items.
After completing the legal procedures, a criminal file was completed against the suspects, for actions related to the formation of an association of evil people for the purpose of preparing to commit a misdemeanor of fraud. By resorting to the public via Electronic means.
In addition to money laundering within the framework of an organized criminal group. Possession, purchase, and promotion of prohibited virtual assets, and their use in violation of legislation and regulation pertaining to exchange and capital movement to and from abroad.
In addition to impersonating others, forgery, and using forged documents in electronic documents. According to the legal descriptions contained in the file.
The suspects will be brought before the Public Prosecutor at the Taura Court, to take appropriate legal measures. A detention order was issued against them, according to the data related to the judicial procedure.
