Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
The Bank of Algeria warns.
Barely implemented, the new tourism allowance with the new amount of 750 euros already sharpens the appetite of certain scammers. The warnings multiply before the scams actually put in place. This situation reacted to the Bank of Algeria, which recalls the terms and strict conditions for granting this exchange right, but also consumer protection associations, like Apoce, which alerts a possible embezzlement of this exchange right.
The right of exchange granted for trips abroad is strictly personal and cannot in any case be sold or used by a third person, in accordance with the regulations in force, said the Bank of Algeria (BA) in a press release made public last Thursday, pointing out the reason for this reaction.
This recall comes following the dissemination, on social networks, of content promoting travelers organized abroad, some aspects of which contravene exchange regulations and the legislation relating to the fight against money laundering, the bank said in its press release.
The same source stresses that instruction n ° 05-2025 relating to the right of exchange for travel abroad, in particular its article 10, formally prohibits any maneuver aimed at diverting the use of the amount of exchange for travel abroad. Any offender is exposed to criminal proceedings, in accordance with the legislation in force, warned the Bank of Algeria.
The latter also calls on citizens to respect the purpose of this right, intended exclusively to finance their own stay abroad. It is expressly prohibited to them, it has been emphasized, to give this amount to another person, in any form whatsoever.
The misuse and diversion of this exchange right was also denounced by consumer protection associations, like apoce. Its president, Mustapha Zebdi, which highlights the intervention and the warning from the Bank of Algeria, has indeed reported the announcements of certain travel agencies. The latter “promote free organized trips (with zero dinar), for a period of seven days, provided you exceed 19 years and present a passport”.
The ulterior motive, explained Mr. Zebdi, is that “the travel agency operates this right of exchange for its account”. He said that, according to the echoes reached him, some agencies “even” changed without the presence of interested parties “. Which pushes to wonder how it could take place.
Recall that the Bank of Algeria, which had announced the implementation of this right of exchange with its new amount, in application of the instructions of the President of the Republic, also set the conditions for its application.
She then said that the right of exchange is allocated only once a year, for a stay of a minimum duration of seven days, and remains exclusively reserved for her beneficiary.
The delivery of the amount in currency is carried out at the level of the exit points of the national territory, on presentation of the payment receipt, the passport and the boarding card or during border formalities for travelers by land, said the Bank of Algeria. She also said that any beneficiary of a exchange right who cancels her trip or makes an effective stay less than seven days must return the entire amount collected within five working days of his return. Otherwise, sanctions will be applied against these people. In the event of non-compliance, the interested party faces the suspension of the right of exchange for five years, accompanied, if necessary, criminal proceedings, in accordance with exchange regulations.