A Marseille trader filed a complaint on Sunday in Marseille for an extortion attempt carried out by a man claiming to belong to the “DZ mafia” criminal group, according to a police source.
The victim, owner of a grocery store in the center of Marseille, allegedly received an SMS in which his interlocutor claimed to be a member of the “DZ mafia” and demanded 250,000 euros from him under penalty of attacking him and to his family. The grocer also reportedly received photos of his family (probably from social media) and his business.
Following the victim's complaint, the police immediately took care of her family members, taking them to the safety of her in-laws.
Investigators were then able to identify the person behind the threatening text message. He would be known to the courts for common law offenses but would have no apparent link with organized crime. After filing a complaint, the victim was also taken to safety.
The Marseille criminal group, which became known for its bloody turf war with the “Yoda” clan, is suspected of trying to extort traders, bar managers or nightclubs in Bouches-du-Rhône and elsewhere in France.
