Residency papers fraud for cash scam uncovered

INVESTIGATION: Police arrested a Nijar-based lawyer for falsifying documents and aiding illegal immigration CREDIT: Policia Nacional Almeria

POLICE in Almeria have uncovered a residency papers in exchange for cash scam, making 14 arrests.
The investigations began in June when false documents were detected at the Almeria Immigration Office.
They were being presented to gain temporary residency authorisations on the basis of exceptional circumstances and therefore to legalise the situation of foreigners without papers.
Foreigners in an irregular situation and trying to get authorisation for a valid residency permit have to get a report in support of their request from the council of the area in which they are registered as a resident.
The report accredits the individual’s social integration into the municipality.
Police discovered cases where after failing to get a report in their favour, a falsified document was produced by copying the parameters established in a report which was favourable. This was then presented with the rest of the required documentation to get a valid Spanish residency.
The investigation led to a well-known lawyer with an office in Nijar. According to police he acted as his clients’ representative at the Immigration Office and contributed to the falsification of the supporting reports.
Police said the lawyer specialised in the documentation issued by Nijar and Almeria councils.
Investigators established that 12 foreigners had fraudulently obtained residency authorisations, which were immediately withdrawn. They now face charges for falsifying documentation.
The lawyer and one his employees were detained and charged with aiding illegal immigration, a well as a crime of falsifying documents.

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Written by

Cathy Elelman

Cathy Elelman is the local writer for the Costa de Almeria edition of the Euro Weekly News.

Based in Mojacar for the last 21 years, Cathy is very much part of the local community and is always well and truly up on all the latest news and events going on in this region of Spain.

Her top goals are to do the best job she can informing the local English-speaking community, visitors to the area and the wider world about about the news in Almeria, to learn something new every day, and to embrace very new challenge this fast-changing world brings her way.

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