Missérété Prison: two detainees were tried at the CRIET for online fraud

The defendants are accused of using digital tools inside the penitentiary to orchestrate a series of remote frauds.

According to the accusation, they allegedly contacted victims via online platforms, obtaining sums of money under false promises or for supposed services, before disappearing without carrying out what had been promised.

Facing charges at their hearing, the two inmates testified before the CRIET magistrates. This specialized jurisdiction handles serious economic offenses and terrorism-related crimes, including those facilitated by the fraudulent use of information technologies.

The use of digital tools from inside a cell also raises questions about the control and regulation of the use of phones, tablets, or other connected devices in prison settings, a recurring topic in debates on detention security.

CRIET, after hearing the pleadings and reviewing the case files, must decide the next steps in this proceeding, which could result in penalties ranging from heavy fines to additional prison sentences, depending on the severity of the offenses established.