The organization paid women, often in situations of economic vulnerability, to register as domestic partners with foreign nationals. This fraud allowed them to illegally process applications for residency as a family member of an EU citizen.
The gang allegedly falsified about thirty files, allowing beneficiaries to circulate freely within the Schengen area. Agents attribute crimes including belonging to a criminal group, offenses against the rights of foreign citizens, usurpation of civil status, and fraud against the Social Security system.
The network registered the women in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) of the Social Security without their consent, falsifying their signatures.
The investigation began in March 2023 following a complaint filed at the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi police station. The complainant received 1,000 euros for participating in the fraud but ended up with an embargo on her accounts due to a debt exceeding 1,500 euros with Social Security.
The joint operation, led by the UCRIF of the National Police and the Mossos d'Esquadra, resulted in the arrest of three people in Tarragona and one in Barcelona. Three of the detainees were brought before a judge on January 14.
