ARCHIVED - 11 Seville criminals arrested for faking driving licences for foreigners
The criminal gang also arranged false work documentation for victims throughout Spain
The National Police in Seville have arrested 11 criminals accused of illegally supplying driving licences to immigrants living in an irregular situation all across Spain. The gang specialised in trading existing licences as well as falsifying documentation to get new permits for those not legally entitled to them.
Investigators discovered that the well-oiled organisation divided up its criminal workforce so that each gang member focused on a particular task. The promoter was responsible for advertising the service, available for 3,000 euros, in Spain and abroad, while an impersonator sat the exams posing as the client. Finally, the counterfeiter took care of manufacturing all of the forged documentation necessary to obtain the licence.
The 11 detainees also helped numerous foreigners obtain work illegally in the farming sector.
"They exploited them and abused their defenceless situation with the aim of enriching themselves at the expense of this vulnerability," explained Sara Talaván, a police spokesperson.
When the information came to light, the authorities searched five properties belonging to the suspects, all of whom have extensive criminal records. The raids, carried out in the towns of Salteras, La Algaba, and Brenes, turned up 40,000 euros in cash, a 9mm pistol and ammunition, mobile phones and other electronic devices containing fraudulent documents.
The investigation remains open and other arrests haven’t been ruled out, but for now the current suspects have been charged with crimes of counterfeiting and against the rights of workers and foreign citizens.
Image: Archive
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