Egyptian authorities have arrested several people accused of running an elaborate fraud scheme by pretending to be judges.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the group created fake courtroom scenes and posed as judges online to trick people into handing over money.
The two alleged ringleaders — an unemployed man and a university student from Cairo and Giza — are now in custody. During questioning, they reportedly admitted to leading a gang that promised victims housing through government channels in exchange for payments.
Investigators say the suspects went as far as filming staged court proceedings. To appear legitimate, the main suspect was allegedly photographed and recorded inside a real courthouse wearing a judicial sash. Police say they seized a firearm, the sash, and fake ID cards listing his bogus judicial title during the arrest.
State newspaper Al-Ahram reports that additional suspects, including some court employees, were also detained and sent for fast-track prosecution. The employees allegedly believed the main suspect because he claimed to work for a judicial authority.
The case came to light after one man reported being scammed by someone impersonating a judge. That complaint triggered an investigation that led police to the rest of the group.
The second key suspect is accused of helping film the videos and posting them on social media while claiming to be a judge, prosecutors said.
Egyptian officials have not released further details on how much money was taken or how many victims are involved. The investigation is ongoing.
