Marianna Spring

Instagram profiles based mainly in Morocco, with possible links to Spain and Italy, spread misleading videos portraying the journey to Ceuta as safe and easy while offering paid crossing advice that may constitute scams or facilitate human smuggling. A BBC investigation found interconnected accounts using emotionally appealing content, altered captions and algorithmic amplification to attract potential migrants. The activity followed a mass arrival of roughly 78,000 migrants by sea, around 100 reported deaths, and the return of approximately 75,000 people to Morocco. Meta removed several profiles after being contacted by the BBC and said it was monitoring and removing content that violates its policies, but the continued promotion of crossings highlights how social-media manipulation can contribute to real-world deaths and diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Spain.

An investigation by the BBC found dozens of interconnected Instagram accounts, many apparently operated from Morocco, promoting an idealized and misleading image of the route from Morocco to Ceuta. Some accounts offered paid guidance—including purported information about sewer pipes—for hundreds of pounds, while social-media algorithms helped the content reach potential migrants. The investigation links the content to a wider influx in which roughly 78,000 people arrived by sea, many were returned to Morocco, and deaths and diplomatic tensions followed. Meta said it was monitoring the situation and removing content related to human smuggling.

An investigation found that interconnected Instagram accounts, many apparently operated from Morocco, use aspirational and misleading videos to make the dangerous journey from Morocco to Ceuta appear easy and to suggest that Ceuta offers a route to mainland Europe. Some accounts offered paid instructions, including information about sewer pipes, and requested 5,000 Moroccan dirhams upfront. The investigation links this activity to algorithmic amplification, misinformation about Spanish immigration rules and claims of weak border controls. The findings come after a reported surge of about 78,000 sea arrivals, many of whom were returned to Morocco and some of whom died attempting the crossing. Meta removed several profiles after being contacted and said it was taking action against content facilitating human smuggling, but the network continued promoting further crossing attempts, raising risks of additional deaths and diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Spain.