The National Police have dismantled a criminal network that defrauded irregular immigrants with false documents in the Basque Country. The plot, which included among others six lawyers from four management offices ―three in Bilbao and one in San Sebastián, according to police sources― charged victims between 5,000 and 10,000 euros to prepare documentation that supposedly would help regularize their situation in Spain. The operation, started in July 2025, ended two weeks ago with a total of 19 arrests and is still ongoing.
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A recruiter, who is among those arrested, located potential victims and referred them to the management offices, where lawyers provided them with fraudulent registrations, training courses, medical reports, or bank statements. With these documents, migrants tried to justify their roots in Spain before the Administration and thus gain access to the regularization approved by the Government.
In total, 118 cases of fraud by the now dismantled criminal organization have been confirmed, all involving people of African origin. 90% of the victims are Moroccan, about ten Tunisians, and another 10 Algerians.
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The operation began in the summer of 2025, when the Government sub-delegations noticed something suspicious in about ten files and alerted the National Police. After gathering evidence, on May 7 three searches took place at the lawyers’ offices. During the operation, more than 13,000 euros and other currencies were seized.
After these 19 arrests, the operation remains open. Police sources warn that this is a type of crime “very difficult to prove and requires very thorough investigation.” The 19 detainees have been released on charges after being brought before the court.