New cases of fraud targeting recently arrived migrants from South American countries have been reported in Spain. Left without official documents or the ability to work, many people look for any opportunity to legalize their status. In these conditions, they become easy prey for criminal groups that promise expedited paperwork in exchange for large sums—ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 euros.
Victims, unfamiliar with local regulations, often borrow money from friends or relatives to pay the fraudsters. As a result, they not only lose their money but also risk being denied legalization for using forged documents. If caught with fake papers, their chances of obtaining legal status in the future are virtually eliminated.
In May 2025, police detained 12 people aged between 35 and 45 who are suspected of involvement in the criminal scheme. In Guadalajara, five members of a gang specializing in selling fake certificates of application for international protection were arrested. These documents included a photo, fingerprint, and QR code, but were produced using someone else’s data and sold for about 1,000 euros.
Police note that some victims, believing the documents to be genuine, tried to use them to renew permits at police stations. This led to additional problems, including detentions for using forged documents.
In Guadalajara, cases of sham marriages involving relatives of one of the group’s leaders were also uncovered. Previously, complaints had already been filed against these individuals for similar incidents—for promising to process documents and then disappearing with the money.
In Toledo, the criminals used a different scheme. Here, a municipal employee was involved, who had access to official databases. He issued residence permits under the family reunification program through the ministry’s official website, using other people’s digital identifiers without their knowledge. In one case, a woman’s personal data was used to submit 17 applications for various migrants across different provinces, including Cadiz, Leon, and Madrid. All applications were rejected after verification.
The investigation began in autumn 2024 in Teruel, when migration service officers detected five suspicious applications submitted for one person. Units from Madrid and the central department for combating illegal migration joined the inquiry.
In Toledo, there were also cases of recruiting ‘volunteers’ for sham marriages with foreign women in exchange for payment. Participants agreed to forge documents and falsely register a place of residence. For these services, group members received between 3,000 and 8,000 euros, depending on the complexity of the operation. Investigators established that the criminals had a vast network for finding clients and organizing deals.
All detainees have been charged with document forgery and aiding the illegal stay of foreigners. The police continue to investigate further cases and warn migrants about the risks of turning to dubious intermediaries.
