Marrakesh – Poupette Kenza, known off-screen as Kenza Benchrif, has once again captured the spotlight.

 

Charged with “attempted organized extortion” and “criminal conspiracy,” the influencer has been held in provisional detention as of this Thursday. 

 

This decision was made by the liberties judge, according to Rouen’s public prosecutor, Frederic Teillet.

 

Poupette Kenza, whose real name is Kenza Benchrif, was indicted following a complaint filed on February 23, 2024, by a couple who accused the influencer of subjecting them to  various forms of surveillance

 

This included physical monitoring, the installation of a mini-camera near their home, and a GPS tracker placed on their vehicle.

 

They were also physically threatened and demanded to hand over €200,000, according to an earlier statement by prosecutor Teillet.

 

Read also: The Rise of Morocco’s First AI-Powered Influencers

 

According to preliminary investigations, Kenza accused the couple of stealing €350,000 from her. Instead of going to the police, she turned to a middleman who she believes is the right person to find a “solution to this type of problem.”

 

The individual responsible for these threats was apprehended during a meeting arranged for the handover of the money while carrying a grenade. 

 

The man confessed to contacting the victims to “resolve a financial dispute involving an influencer currently residing in Dubai.” 

 

The alleged perpetrator has been indicted for “attempted organized extortion,” “possession of explosives,” and “criminal conspiracy.” She has also been placed in provisional detention, according to the prosecutor’s statement.

 

Alerted to Kenza Benchrif’s return to France from Dubai, investigators arrested her on July 4 in the Rouen area

 

“Ms. Kenza Benchrif reserves her explanations for the justice system and does not wish to turn this procedure into a media circus that would compromise the investigation and the pursuit of truth,” stated her lawyers, Mourad Battikh and Jeremy Kalfon.

 

This is not the first time that the controversial influencer has been on the radar of French authorities. 

 

Kenza previously made waves with controversial anti-Semitic remarks that drew the ire of French politician Aurore Berge and DILCRAH, the body responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing French government policy.

 

On May 15, Kenza sparked controversy when she stated in an Instagram video that she does not collaborate with individuals of Jewish descent.

 

Despite later attempts to clarify her statement by arguing that she was targeting “Zionists” rather than all Jews, the damage had been done. 

 

The incident resulted in her Instagram account being deactivated, and  DILCRAH referred her case to the prosecutor.

 

At 24 years old, Poupette Kenza boasts a following of 1.1 million on Instagram and has amassed 1.3 million followers on TikTok.