Spanish police have arrested a man in Barcelona accused of running a scam involving fake appointments for immigration services. The suspect allegedly posed as the head of a legitimate administrative agency and targeted foreign nationals seeking to renew their residence permits.
Information from the National Police, the man advertised his services on social media, presenting himself as a specialist in securing hard-to-get appointments for residency renewals. Victims said they discovered the alleged fraud when their appointment confirmations proved invalid, prompting them to contact the authorities.
Investigators describe a recurring method: after initial contact through WhatsApp* (принадлежит Metа, которая признана экстремистской организацией и запрещена в РФ), the suspect allegedly sent forged confirmation documents and bank details for payment. Each appointment was priced at €67.50. In some cases, he reportedly claimed that a payment had not arrived because of banking problems, then pressed victims to transfer money again for the same service.
When victims realized the appointments were fake and demanded refunds, the suspect allegedly sent fabricated bank transfer receipts to suggest that reimbursements had been processed. The tactic could delay complaints by making it appear that money was on its way.
Police tracked down and detained the man, who was already wanted by courts across Spain in connection with multiple fraud-related offences. He faces allegations of fraud and document forgery in the latest case.
The case comes amid persistent appointment shortages for immigration procedures. Spain’s public appointment system is the official route for these services; there is no government-approved fast or privileged channel, according to the official position reported by La Gaceta de Salamanca. Some intermediaries simply monitor the same public booking website for openings. Others may take payment without securing a valid appointment.
The appointment itself is a free public service, separate from any fee charged for professional assistance. La Gaceta de Salamanca cites indicative prices of about €15 for appointment-alert services and around €80 for help from lawyers or administrative professionals. Those figures are not government fees, and payment does not guarantee an appointment or faster processing. For applicants who use a professional, the report recommends confirming the provider’s identity and requesting a written quotation with an invoice.
For some applicants seeking a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) fingerprinting appointment after residence approval, a separate change may affect how appointments are assigned. A trial announced by the Dirección General de la Policía on 8 October 2026 was extended from Girona, Tarragona and Lleida to Barcelona and other provinces from 9 October. The automatic process initially covered only some eligible files, leaving manual booking in place for others; it did not create a private route to appointments or end the public booking process for everyone.
Applicants should keep digital certificates and account credentials private, including Cl@ve details and passwords. A guaranteed slot by a particular date is a warning sign: no private intermediary can guarantee an appointment through the public system. Anyone seeking paid help can confirm the professional is registered and request a written quotation with an invoice before proceeding.
This incident highlights the risks that arise when high demand for official appointments pushes applicants toward unofficial services. Similar issues have been reported in other contexts, including increased scrutiny at border controls, as seen when Spanish authorities intensified checks on arrivals from Italy at Barcelona Airport.
Spain’s immigration offices have faced appointment shortages for years, leaving migrants vulnerable to misleading offers and payment fraud, with personal information also at risk. Authorities urge anyone affected by such schemes to report them to the police.
