Two real estate developers referred to prosecutor in Casablanca’s 'Casa Park' fraud case

The Casablanca judicial police have referred the case of the stalled “Casa Park” real estate project to the public prosecutor, with two prominent property developers set to appear before the prosecutor at the Ain Sebaa Primary Court on Monday morning, along with several alleged victims.

Police investigators spent weeks questioning the two developers, who are the legal representatives of the company in charge of the project, according to well-informed sources who spoke to Hespress AR.

The probe followed complaints filed with the attorney general at the Casablanca Court of Appeal, accusing the developers and their company of fraud, embezzlement and breach of trust. Victims allege that the company collected advance payments but failed to deliver the promised properties or complete construction within the agreed deadlines.

Representatives of the victims from the Sidi Maârouf district, where the project is located, have also contacted Attijariwafa Bank, the lender for the project’s developer. The bank previously obtained a ruling in its favor from the Casablanca Commercial Court against the real estate company. Victims are seeking to join a complaint the bank filed over alleged embezzlement and other serious financial irregularities, in order to strengthen their legal case.

The victims have reportedly asked the bank not to engage in any out-of-court settlements or financial arrangements that could harm their interests. Their collective deposits with the company amount to more than 90 million dirhams (9 billion centimes). They also requested the bank confirm whether a criminal complaint has been filed and provide details about its progress so they can formally join the case.

Victims further urged the lender to clarify its official stance regarding any potential settlements, calling for full transparency and the protection of both the bank’s and victims’ rights.

In March, the Casablanca Commercial Court ruled in favor of Attijariwafa Bank, ordering the company behind the Casa Park project to pay 371.6 million dirhams in damages. The court also imposed the minimum term of coercive imprisonment on the second and third defendants, while rejecting additional and amended claims.

According to the bank’s initial complaint to the court, the developer owes the lender 39 million dirhams under one contract and 11.1 million dirhams under another.

Sources said the victims include both Moroccan residents and members of the diaspora who paid deposits through checks and bank transfers but never received their apartments. Some had obtained written commitments from the company promising repayment, but those promises were never honored.

The “Casa Park” case has been ongoing since 2011, when buyers began protesting delays and demanding either the delivery of their apartments or refunds for the payments they made.