Migrants Lured by Social Media: Investigation Uncovers Deceptive Cross

This weekend, a Moroccan man, Mohammed, is set to attempt to cross the border from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the northern tip of Africa. He's not alone – thousands of others have made the perilous journey in recent months, with devastating consequences.

Deceptive Crossing Videos Fuel Migrant Influx

Dozens of Instagram profiles have been identified by the BBC's Top Comment podcast as driving the influx of migrants to Ceuta with aspirational content and offering them help for a fee. These accounts portray the short swim around the Morocco-Ceuta border fence as safe and easy – but in reality, people have drowned trying to make the crossing and take much longer routes.

The accounts also wrongly show Ceuta as a viable route to mainland Europe. After engaging with the accounts' profiles and posts, the BBC was added to multiple channels and WhatsApp groups. When asked if they could help cross to Ceuta this weekend, one of the anonymous accounts said yes and requested "5000 dirhams upfront" (£400) for "information that will help you enter Ceuta".

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The account confirmed lots of other Instagram profiles help people to cross to Ceuta in this way, and asked for payment "via bank account" with a specific money transfer service. But they didn't respond when asked whether a refund would be given if the crossing was not successful.

A Desperate Bid for a Better Life

Roughly 78,000 migrants from Morocco arrived by sea into Ceuta in a matter of hours last month, 100 of whom died according to the Mayor of Ceuta. The crisis has calmed since, but it has sparked tensions between EU nations who share open borders as well as criticism of the Spanish government.

The influx of migrants has been attributed to a combination of factors, including misinformation about changes to Spanish immigration law and allegations about weak border controls. But the role of social media in luring migrants to Ceuta cannot be overstated.

A Call for Action

The Spanish government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with many calling for stricter border controls and a more robust response to the influx of migrants. The EU has also been criticized for its failure to address the root causes of migration.

As the situation in Ceuta continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Spanish government will respond to the crisis. One thing is certain, however – the lives of thousands of migrants hang in the balance.

Source: JOY