France investigates alleged fake robbery

PARIS, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- France has launched an investigation after a cash machine technician allegedly faked a robbery to help fund a terror network, the BBC reported Sunday.

Hassan Baouchi, a former Brink's security company employee, was arrested on Thursday following the allegations.

Baouchi claimed he had been robbed of $1.3 million meant to be used to refill cash machines. French authorities suspect the money is being used to fund activities by the Moroccan Islamic Fighting Group, an organization blamed for bombings in Morocco in 2003 that killed 45 preople.

Baouchi has been placed under investigation for "criminal association relating to a terrorist enterprise" by an anti-terror judge.