Fuengirola business warning: Council denies mystery inspection operation

Foreign business owners in Fuengirola are being encouraged to stay alert after reports of people posing as police officers and checking bars and restaurants. Business owners in Fuengirola are being warned to be cautious after a social media post described a series of suspicious visits to bars, allegedly involving people wearing National Police vests.

The warning was shared in a Finnish community discussion, raising concerns among foreign residents who run businesses on the Costa del Sol. According to the post, one person allegedly entered a bar and filmed inside using a mobile phone before putting on a vest bearing police markings. Three more people reportedly arrived afterwards, wearing similar vests and asking to see customers’ documents. The account raised questions about whether the visits were part of an official inspection campaign targeting businesses owned by foreigners.

Fuengirola Town Hall denies any involvement

Fuengirola council responded directly to the online post, denying that it was carrying out the inspections described. In its reply, the council said: “Fuengirola is not carrying out the inspections detailed in this publication.” It added that when council inspections take place, uniformed Local Police attend as well as staff from the relevant department, and those involved always identify themselves.

The response is important for foreign bar and restaurant owners who may be unfamiliar with the different authorities responsible for inspections in Spain. However, the council’s statement does not establish who the people described in the post were, whether they were genuine police officers or whether any criminal offence took place.

What should business owners do if approached?

Business owners should not assume that somebody is an authorised officer simply because they wear a police-style vest or claim to be conducting an inspection. If anything seems suspicious, owners can take practical steps to protect themselves and their customers.

• Ask for identification: Request official identification and establish which police force or public authority the visitors represent.
• Verify the visit: If in doubt, contact the relevant police force using an independently obtained official telephone number. Fuengirola Local Police can be contacted on 092, while 112 is the emergency number in Spain.
• Do not obstruct genuine officers: If the visitors appear to be conducting an official operation, remain calm and avoid physical confrontation while seeking verification.
• Record the details safely: Note the time, descriptions, vehicle registration numbers and what was requested, provided it is safe and lawful to do so.
• Report suspicious behaviour: Contact the police if people appear to be impersonating officers, demanding money or requesting documents without a clear explanation.

Foreign residents urged not to ignore warning signs

Spain has several police forces, and legitimate checks can involve different authorities depending on the circumstances. Council inspections can also cover matters such as fire safety, licences and compliance with regulations.