In a coordinated operation, national police together with the Tax Office Customs Inspection have disrupted a lucrative network involved in the purchase and seizure of forged documents. Across Spain, 64 individuals were arrested, including four in the province of Alicante, for using social networks to obtain counterfeit documents of a high professional standard. The operation uncovered 136 forged documents, spanning driver’s licenses, passports, and identity papers, all claimed to belong to European nationals to facilitate movement within the Schengen area. The suspects connected with counterfeiters through social media and instant messaging, agreeing on prices that ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 euros per document and coordinating shipment dates to Spain.
The arrested individuals face multiple charges related to the rights of foreign nationals, including facilitation of smuggling, document falsification, and irregular migration. The investigation began within the framework of the Tax Office Customs Surveillance Service, which monitors parcel shipments from abroad using risk-analysis techniques. Authorities detected online posts advertising falsified documents and alerted the Athens Point of the National Police to verify the authenticity of the seized papers. [Source: National Police]
Schengen area
During the inquiry, investigators reviewed various documents such as ID cards, passports, and driving licenses claimed to be from different European nationalities. The aim was to understand how counterfeit documents could enable seamless travel through the Schengen zone. Overall, 136 documents with a high level of professionalism were identified by the authorities. The research revealed that the customers had engaged with foreign counterfeiters through multiple social networks and messaging platforms, setting prices according to the type of document. Passports bearing border stamps carried a higher cost, lending perceived credibility at border gates. The price range was confirmed to be between 1,000 and 3,000 euros, with procurement dates arranged for shipments to Spain using the same channels.
As the investigation progressed, the authorities reported 64 arrests across several cities: Madrid, Huelva, Barcelona, Granada, Alicante, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz, Melilla, León, Almeria, Pontevedra, Córdoba, Lugo, and Jaén. The distribution of detentions demonstrated the network’s reach within the country, and the police noted that the Atenas Point operates as a rapid consultative hub within the Central Unit Against Illegal Immigration Networks and Falsified Documents, serving as a call center for quick coordination among National Police units and cooperating agencies. [Source: National Police]