Criminal gang dismantled in Murcia and Alicante for booking up appointments in extranjería offices
The organisation is accused of exploiting Spanish immigration system, charging fees for appointment bookings and falsifying documents
The National Police in Spain have dismantled a criminal organisation that exploited the country’s immigration system by fraudulently accessing government servers, falsifying documents and promoting illegal immigration. The operation led to 21 arrests across Alicante (17), Murcia (1) and Valencia (3).
The group’s primary activity involved developing an automated bot system to block the General State Administration’s server, preventing people from freely accessing online appointments for immigration procedures at extranjería offices.
By monopolising the appointment system, the network was able to charge individuals and companies between 15 and 30 euros to secure appointments. This illicit practice generated an estimated 9,000 euros per month for each member of the organisation.
Investigations also revealed the network’s involvement in forging essential documents, such as bank statements, insurance records and census registrations which were used to fraudulently apply for Spanish residence permits, mainly under the non-profit residency category.
The criminal organisation also facilitated the sale of falsified documents to foreigners in Spain, enabling them to secure residence permits that would otherwise have been denied.
The main suspect in the case, an expert in immigration processes, spearheaded the operation and trained friends, neighbours and relatives to participate, creating a tight-knit criminal structure.
Police began investigating back in 2023 following a raid on the main suspect’s home, where multiple computer devices containing evidence were seized. Charges against the detainees include computer damage, document falsification, criminal group membership and facilitation of illegal immigration.
Image: Oficina de Extranjería de Murcia
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