In a joint operation with the National Police, Turkish authorities moved to dismantle a criminal network involved in distributing forged documents to support irregular migration. Ninety individuals were detained as part of the crackdown, which targeted a group that deployed social networks to lure clients. The scheme involved producing counterfeit documents in Istanbul, with half the payment received upfront and the remainder settled within seven days before shipment, ensuring a quick turnover and concealment of transactions.
The group offered a range of forged credentials. Passports were advertised at 1,000 euros, residence permits at 750 euros, Schengen visas at 500 euros, and roaming permits at 350 euros. Law enforcement estimates indicate the organization could reap profits surpassing one million euros as a result of these activities. The arrests spanned 26 Spanish provinces, including Alicante, Almería, Badajoz, Cádiz, Cáceres, Castellón, Córdoba, Cuenca, Gerona, Granada, Guadalajara, Guipúzcoa, Huelva, Madrid, Málaga, Murcia, Balearic Islands, Lérida, Palencia, Pontevedra, Soria, Sevilla, Tarragona, Valencia, and Vizcaya. The suspects face serious charges such as membership in a criminal organization, possession and distribution of forged documents, violations of foreign nationals’ rights, usurpation of civil status, and offenses related to traffic safety. Investigators seized 71 counterfeit documents, around 4,300 euros in cash, various electronic devices, and assorted documentation, all connected to the illicit operation. The Turkish authorities collaborated closely with Spanish counterparts to coordinate the takedown.
The criminal network cultivated a public presence through social media, publishing videos that showcased counterfeit documents intended to facilitate passage through the Schengen area. Interested clients could connect with the group via social platforms, after which representatives requested a phone number to contact the producers of the fake documents, who were stationed in Istanbul. To complete the transaction, the clients were asked to initiate half of the payment through an international money transfer service and to share personal information through instant messaging channels. Once production was completed, a photo of the finished product was sent to the buyer by mobile message, the remaining funds were transferred, and the final items were dispatched by courier to the Spanish offices of the organization within a seven-day window.
The organization operated through two interlinked branches. One branch handled money collection and client liaison in Spain, with many customers of Syrian origin and others from Algeria, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Morocco. The second branch oversaw the dispatch of the forged documents to Spain, led by Syrian nationals who coordinated production centers in Istanbul. This structure required continuous information exchange and repeated meetings with Turkish authorities to maintain the flow of operations without interruption.
The Syrian counterfeiters demonstrated a broad capability to reproduce a wide array of documents. They supplied residence permits for community countries at 750 euros, Schengen visas for 500 euros, roaming permits for 350 euros, and passports for 1,000 euros. Estimates from representatives suggested that more than 700 bundles of fake documents had been delivered to the country, indicating a potential profit well above one million euros. The scale of the operation and the diverse nationalities involved highlight the transnational nature of the fraud and the challenges it posed to border controls.
The police report details the geographic spread of arrests within Spain, with 90 people detained across numerous provinces. The breakdown shows several provinces bearing multiple captures, testifying to a widespread network rather than a single cell. The charges cover membership in a criminal organization, the production and use of fake documents, abuses against the rights of foreign citizens, usurpation of civil status, and traffic-related offenses. In the evidence collected, authorities identified 71 fraudulent identity papers, passports, driver’s licenses, and residence permits issued in various countries including Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Morocco, and Algeria. The seizure included 4,300 euros in cash, mobile devices, tablets, cameras, and other documents linked to the investigation. This comprehensive seizure underscores the scale and organization of the operation and the ongoing efforts to dismantle the network through international cooperation.