Almeria detainee falls for a plot to falsely register foreigners

Six men and one women, aged between 31 and 49, were arrested by agents of the National Police in UCRIF I of Provincial Immigration and Borders Brigade of Granada. They are of Spanish and Moroccan nationality and are allegedly connected to an organization that promotes illegal immigration of Moroccan citizens through family reunification file requests that were massively made and based upon falsified documentation.

For promoting false documentation, the leaders of this group demanded that victims pay up to 3000 euros.

A 31-year-old Spanish-born man of Moroccan origin is the alleged architect of this plot to promote illegal immigration. He has no prior police record. This person was the head of an agency that specialized in processing family reunification files. This procedure allows a Spanish citizen to legally reside in Spain and can be used to legalize close relatives. However, certain conditions must be met, such as having enough economic capacity and a habitable residence.

Four people of Moroccan and three Spanish nationality would make up the organization. This would allow for a division of roles in the execution of the criminal plot. The 36-year old Moroccan citizen was held in El Ejido, Almeria, while the other detainees were held in the province Granada.

This criminal network used false advertising on real estate portals to attract potential clients as its modus operandi. These foreigners reached out to the manager inquiring about renting the properties. The manager promised speed and efficiency but also offered them residence permits for family reunification.

Others in this group were responsible for searching for vacant dwellings and cave-houses. The owners' signatures were falsified to simulate their rental. These contracts were to be attached to family reunification files, which were promoted by the agency.

Researchers were able to confirm that the agency required a lot more information from local authorities than the other agencies. These included registrations, settlement reports, and conditions of habitability. However, this agency's success was so great that it created a pull effect for immigrant residents in neighboring provinces.

Patrons could be charged up to 3,000 euros for the services of this criminal organization. This criminal organization would have enjoyed great economic gains at the expense its victims by fraudulent family reunification file. In fact, agents discovered a suitcase containing 20,000 euros worth of cash during a search of the Accitana home of one detainee. This was presumably part of their criminal activities.

All proceedings have been reported to the judicial authority. The detainees are now free and waiting for trial.