Rabat – Spanish police dismantled on Monday a criminal group that specialized in falsifying documents to pass off wealthy Moroccans as businessmen in Spain.
Eight people were arrested as part of the operation to combat irregular migration rings, including a practicing lawyer in Granada. The group helped 15 people from four different families enter the country under false pretenses, usually claiming access to health and educational services or the establishment of commercial services in Spain as their reason for entering the country.
The investigation began when immigration authorities in Granada warned that a Moroccan businessman residing in the country had obtained residence and work permits using falsified documents.
The Moroccan national in question had claimed to own a business in Granada, but police investigation later revealed there was no established business in the area.
The forgery group charged 20,000 to 40,000 euros to the individuals and families hoping to make it to Spain, according to Spanish radio station COPE.
Authorities have confirmed that they will revoke the residence and self employment permits for the Moroccans who entered the country through these means.
Moroccan and Spanish authorities have dismantled similar rings in the past which specialized in forging immigration documents through legal connections in Spain.
Compared to the more dangerous and often deadly boat trips between Morocco and Spain, many considered fake documentation as a relatively safer way to gain entry, although they come at a hefty cost and with their own legal risks.
Earlier this year, Spanish police dismantled a ring that specialized in granting Moroccans entry through fraudulent marriages.
The ring had involved a registered lawyer and several Spanish nationals who pretended to marry aspiring migrants to Spain. Over 70 fake marriages had been conducted by the ring in the five years of its existence.
Read also: Spain Dismantles Marriage-Fraud Ring Involving Moroccans
