DZWatch Exclusive: The Algerian government is cracking down on organized fraud exploiting the travel grant program, designed to provide citizens with 750 euros annually. Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport, Said Sayoud, revealed the existence of sophisticated networks during a parliamentary session, highlighting the transformation of this social benefit into a drain on public finances.
Sayoud emphasized that illegal practices have forced authorities to tighten border controls. A joint assessment with Tunisian authorities, conducted during a recent official visit, exposed the involvement of travel agencies in orchestrating sham trips. These agencies facilitated superficial border crossings for Algerian citizens, primarily aimed at acquiring foreign currency without contributing to legitimate tourism or economic activity.
The scheme involves legally entering Tunisia, obtaining passport stamps, and swiftly returning to Algeria through guarded crossings, often bypassing the minimum stay requirement. This process is repeated to repeatedly claim the 750-euro travel allowance, leading to a significant outflow of hard currency. Minister Sayoud described the figures as “alarming,” revealing that approximately 100,000 cases were detected in just six weeks. A significant portion of those involved were unemployed individuals exploited by these cross-border networks. Minister Sayoud underscored that these funds benefited neither Algeria nor Tunisia, but solely enriched brokers and intermediaries.
Further details revealed that over 5,000 buses traveled to Tunisia during the period under scrutiny. Some were used to transport “tourists” in and out of the country fraudulently, with repeated re-entries after short intervals. The government is now implementing stricter measures to prevent further abuse of the travel grant and safeguard public funds. DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation.
