Gims held in extended custody over real estate project near Marrakech

Under the watchful eye of the French justice system for suspected organized money laundering, singer Gims is currently undergoing extended questioning due to his alleged ties to a luxury real estate project in Morocco, as announced by the National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (PNACO) this Thursday to AFP. According to Africa Intelligence, the investigation is particularly focused on the Sunset Village Private Residences near Marrakech, a project endorsed by the artist.

In this context, the French press agency notes that judges are working to uncover the singer's true role within an investigation into an international network. This network is suspected of employing «a myriad of companies» across several countries to manipulate VAT and French taxes. These activities allegedly «facilitated the creation of false invoices» and the «laundering of funds from illicit activities» to «disguise their origin».

Africa Intelligence further reveals that «five former drug traffickers from the Paris region, now engaged in financial crime», have been «implicated» in the case. In this scenario, Gims was detained by French authorities upon his arrival in Paris. His lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, reached by AFP, has not yet issued a statement.

The case reportedly centers around a site featuring «an artificial lagoon of 3,000 square meters, a clubhouse with a panoramic restaurant, concierge services, sports fields, and a wellness area», along with 118 luxury villas spread over 13 hectares in the Marrakech region. For this project, led by Horizons Morocco, Gims is said to have been involved «in the design, the selection of materials, and the overall architectural vision», according to the same sources.