Major Arrest of an International Fugitive in Morocco
In a significant development, Israeli news outlet "Mako" has reported that Moroccan security forces recently apprehended a 70-year-old Israeli citizen named Avi Golan during a raid on a villa in Marrakech. Golan is internationally wanted on multiple charges of fraud and deception, marking the end of one of the most controversial criminal pathways in recent decades. This operation has drawn attention due to Golan's notorious reputation as a master of disguise, with the media describing him as someone who embodies "a thousand faces" and operates under various aliases and forged documents across continents.
Golan, a former convict and serial fraudster, has managed to swindle hundreds, if not thousands, of people worldwide by falsely claiming to be the heir to vast economic empires. The Moroccan police intervention has reportedly put an end to his dubious dealings, which have left a long trail of victims. Just a few days ago, the tranquility of a posh neighborhood in Marrakech was disrupted by dozens of elite police officers as they targeted a luxurious villa inhabited by an individual who identified himself as "Yair Bibert"—a pseudonym for Golan, who is sought after in various countries due to international arrest warrants issued by Interpol.
The Deceptive Tactics of a Serial Swindler
According to the report, Golan is believed to have defrauded countless individuals out of substantial sums of money. A source from the Jewish community in Morocco revealed that Golan often donned different masks, portraying himself as a billionaire Jew from Brazil or an American businessman. He has been accused of stealing funds from innocent Jewish individuals to finance his extravagant lifestyle, causing significant harm to the community's reputation.
Approximately two months ago, an investigation into Golan led to a wave of complaints against him in both Morocco and Israel. Following his arrest, he was transferred from Marrakech to a central prison in Rabat, where he will remain until his extradition hearing. Moroccan sources emphasized that Golan is not a petty fraudster but rather a seasoned criminal who possessed numerous forged passports that facilitated his travels around the globe. One notable case involved a victim who received a message from someone claiming to be a businessman from Miami seeking funds to facilitate the emigration of Moroccan Jews to Israel. The individual ended up transferring 5,000 shekels (over $1,600), only to realize it was a scam.
In another account, a person from Bet El nearly fell victim to a similar scheme. Golan had contacted her under the guise of raising money for food packages for Moroccan Jews, citing difficulties in transferring funds to local banks. However, upon questioning, the inconsistencies became apparent, leading her to recognize that Golan was a fraudster, prompting him to block her.
Golan has a long history of impersonation, having previously traveled through South America under various identities, such as "Alberto" or "Jackie Safra," claiming to be the son of billionaire Joseph Safra. His deceptive tactics have affected citizens in Brazil, Ecuador, and Argentina, where he approached individuals as an Australian millionaire searching for descendants of "Spanish Jews." Even synagogue leaders in central Israel fell victim to his promises of financial support, only to be asked for significant sums to cover temporary expenses.
The report highlights that Golan has been a person of interest to law enforcement for many years, having spent approximately 35 years in prison for fraud and forgery, with nearly 100 criminal cases filed against him in Israel. He was once interviewed on television, pledging to desist from criminal activities, only to return to jail a decade ago for defrauding state institutions and relatives. Since leaving Israel, he has left behind a trail of victims in Japan, Mexico, Germany, and South America. Authorities in Morocco are currently investigating a forged document from "Deutsche Bank" indicating that under a false name, Golan had a bank account holding 31.3 million euros.
As reported by hespress.com.
