Authorities in Alicante Probe Hairdressing Scam Involving Fraudulent Courses
A 48-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman, both Argentine citizens, were taken into custody in Alicante on charges of professional trespass and fraud connected to training courses. The case centers on a man who advertised a hairdressing academy on social media and issued certificates that carried no legitimate value, according to the Provincial Police Department.
Following reports of irregular work practices, investigators launched a probe focused on a property on the ground floor in Alicante. The inquiry was conducted by the III Group of the Migration Networks and Documentary Lies Combat Unit, part of the Immigration and Border Brigade in the Alicante Provincial Police Station. This unit is tasked with protecting workers’ rights and investigating crimes that affect workers, including fraud schemes tied to misrepresented training and credentials.
Two facilities were identified as locations where the alleged illegal labor activities were taking place. Agents then coordinated with the Alicante Labor Inspectorate to verify the facts and gather additional evidence.
Hairdressing Services Themed Investigations
Police reports indicate one facility appeared to offer hairdressing services. Inside, investigators encountered two men, including a minor. The men stated that they were not employed in a legitimate business but were instead involved in what they described as course applications for hairdressing training.
During the inspection, the person who appeared in charge arrived at the scene and repeated the explanation that the premises functioned as an academy with the owner acting as the instructor. He claimed that his students were workers at the outset, and that the activities were legitimate training sessions rather than actual employment.
Authorities confirmed there was no documentation proving that the premises operated as a hair salon or an accredited academy, and there were no valid employment or training contracts on file.
Investigators from Group III collected statements from witnesses and the individuals harmed in the alleged scheme. They concluded that the detainees used intermediaries to recruit participants through social media advertisements. The advertisements allegedly promised paid courses in advance and did not provide any invoices for the payments. One participant was a child under 16 years old who paid 350 euros upfront.
The man accused of trespass reportedly posed as a hairdressing instructor and claimed the course would confer a valid degree upon completion. He filed no official SSI registration and, according to the findings, amassed a substantial sum of money while the legitimacy of the training remained unverified. The authorities described the payments as frequent and paid in cash before the courses began, with students trusting that they were enrolling in a certified program through a real academy.
The so-called students believed they were authorized to learn at an official hairdressing academy, but it became clear that the operation was deceitful. They were deceived by the assurances of legitimate opportunities to practice the profession once the course finished.
The investigation also implicated the woman in the case, who stood accused of fraud due to her self-employment as a supposed hairdresser while lacking authorization to provide any formal training. She also acted as the director of the company used to facilitate the described activities, thereby giving the impression of a legitimate business operation.
The National Police forwarded the proceedings to the Alicante guard court for further action. The outcome of the case remains under review as authorities continue to assess the scale of the deception and the number of victims involved, including the handling of payments and the status of any required registrations.
Experts in labor rights emphasize the importance of verifying credentials and ensuring that training programs hold proper accreditation before enrollment. Consumers are urged to exercise caution with online advertisements that promote quick certification or promises of employment through short courses. The Alicante case serves as a reminder that real credentials require legitimate registration, transparent invoicing, and clear documentation of employment or training relationships. Credit for the reporting goes to the local police and related enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.