In brief
Egyptian officials have arrested a group accused of impersonating judges to scam residents over housing benefits. The suspects, two men living in Cairo and Giza, are said to have staged courtroom scenes and shared them on social media to build credibility. Authorities seized a firearm, a judicial sash and forged documents, and are pressing the case through an expedited criminal trial. The plot surfaced after a complaint from a victim who claimed he was defrauded by a man claiming to be a judge. Court staff were also detained for questioning, underscoring the seriousness of the investigation.
Arrests in Egypt over fake judge fraud scheme
Officials said several people have been detained after an alleged scam that used staged court scenes and a fabricated judge identity to trick citizens into handing over money and claiming housing benefits.
The Ministry of Interior reported the suspects were an unemployed man and a student living in Cairo and Giza. They confessed to organising a gang that promised residents government housing allocations, while taking money under false pretences.
Police seized a firearm, a judicial sash and documents bearing the fake title during the arrest. The suspects admitted filming photos and videos inside a courthouse wearing the sash to enhance authenticity on social media.
A state‑owned newspaper said the suspects were referred for an expedited criminal trial and that court staff were also detained for questioning.
The operation was launched after a complaint from a man who said he had been defrauded by someone claiming to be a judge.
The investigation uncovered that the suspects had recruited several court employees to facilitate filming and dissemination of the fake videos online.
