The story begins with the use of advanced social engineering techniques. A Moroccan individual (the “impersonator”) studied the vulnerabilities in the communication process between journalists and agents. Rather than relying on a vague rumor, the impersonator constructed a comprehensive and credible “digital identity” to deceive a professional journalist from L’Equipe.
The impersonator used a Moroccan SIM card to eliminate any geographical suspicion, leveraging the Moroccan country code (+212_ to give the impression that he was speaking from within the player’s or agent’s inner circle. The cleverest move involved using a WhatsApp profile picture taken from Souffian EL Karouani’s personal Instagram account, showing him with someone close to him. This journalist believes they were talking to a “close friend” or a “confidante” of the player.
The Logistical Trap
The impersonator didn’t claim that El Karouani had signed for Marseille; he provided precise logistical details that made the narrative unquestionable in the journalist’s eyes:
The Medhi Benatia Card: The impersonator claimed that El Karouani’s agent had officially met with Medhi Benatia, the sporting advisor for Olympique de Marseille. This detail was crucial because Benatia, as a former captain of the Moroccan national team, has strong ties with Moroccan players, and there were already media rumors suggesting he was trying to sign El Karouani.
Creating Fake Competition” To increase the value of the “scoop,” the impersonator told the journalist that El Karouani had rejected concrete offers from Leeds United and Sporting Lisbon in favor of Marseille. In the world of transfer journalism, the presence of major competitors enhances the news’s credibility and makes it more urgent to publish immediately to avoid losing the “exclusive.”
While L’Equipe was immersed in the details of the hoax, reality was moving in a completely different direction. On February 2, 2026, it was officially announced that Souffian El Karouani had signed for the Saudi club Al-Qadsiah. This deal reflects the growing financial power of the Saudi Pro League and its ability to attract talent in their athletic prime (25 years old_ directly from major European leagues.
The story begins with the use of advanced social engineering techniques. A Moroccan individual (the “impersonator”) studied the vulnerabilities in the communication process between journalists and agents. Rather than relying on a vague rumor, the impersonator constructed a comprehensive and credible “digital identity” to deceive a professional journalist from L’Equipe.
The impersonator used a Moroccan SIM card to eliminate any geographical suspicion, leveraging the Moroccan country code (+212_ to give the impression that he was speaking from within the player’s or agent’s inner circle. The cleverest move involved using a WhatsApp profile picture taken from Souffian EL Karouani’s personal Instagram account, showing him with someone close to him. This journalist believes they were talking to a “close friend” or a “confidante” of the player.
The Logistical Trap
The impersonator didn’t claim that El Karouani had signed for Marseille; he provided precise logistical details that made the narrative unquestionable in the journalist’s eyes:
The Medhi Benatia Card: The impersonator claimed that El Karouani’s agent had officially met with Medhi Benatia, the sporting advisor for Olympique de Marseille. This detail was crucial because Benatia, as a former captain of the Moroccan national team, has strong ties with Moroccan players, and there were already media rumors suggesting he was trying to sign El Karouani.
Creating Fake Competition” To increase the value of the “scoop,” the impersonator told the journalist that El Karouani had rejected concrete offers from Leeds United and Sporting Lisbon in favor of Marseille. In the world of transfer journalism, the presence of major competitors enhances the news’s credibility and makes it more urgent to publish immediately to avoid losing the “exclusive.”
While L’Equipe was immersed in the details of the hoax, reality was moving in a completely different direction. On February 2, 2026, it was officially announced that Souffian El Karouani had signed for the Saudi club Al-Qadsiah. This deal reflects the growing financial power of the Saudi Pro League and its ability to attract talent in their athletic prime (25 years old_ directly from major European leagues.