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.
