take advantage of strangers
In Valencia, a concerning pattern has emerged among rental account vendors who supply delivery workers with active accounts for rent. A number of Venezuelan and Colombian distributors are leasing access from Glovo. One rider explains the split plainly: 70 percent goes to the account owner while 30 percent stays with the renter. If a rider earns 700 euros a month, about 450 euros are kept by the leaseholder, with the rest tied up in the rented account.
According to these accounts, the practice is widespread and the majority of riders may be involved. A rider named Mario, who asked for anonymity, notes that many colleagues do similar work in Spain because there are no other papers in hand. The rental account sits at the center of a thriving market of Telegram groups and online ads boasting three licenses available for rent. Riders claim responses come fast, with dozens of calls in mere hours.
Word of mouth drives cycles of rental. If someone does not see a direct listing, they might simply ask at a rider corner and be pointed toward a contact. The owner of the rented account is then approached, a payment plan agreed, and work begins quickly.
For Mario, the job feels like modern servitude. The 450 euros earned sits beside twelve-hour days, starting at 10 in the morning and ending after 11 at night, seven days a week. The money is meant for basic needs: room rent around 250 euros, plus food and supplies. Any extra goes toward scarce comforts or savings, and that is the extent of the income for many who rely on rented accounts. The situation is tight and often precarious. [Attribution: Mario and other riders, Valencia]
no serious accident
Riders frame the arrangement as temporary work while papers are processed. One rider has waited ten months for asylum papers, hoping for a work permit that never arrives quickly. Cycling offers a temporary reprieve. For some, hotel work seems possible but is out of reach without proper documentation. The alternate paths are few: rent an account, work in the fields, or take jobs at construction sites with limited protections. The leasing route appears to be the quickest way to survive, even if it is not ideal. [Attribution: Valencia riders and local observers]
While the market continues, there is concern that some employers hire without proper documentation. The account lease becomes a stopgap that keeps people alive but also fuels widespread risk. The rented accounts often surface in the periphery of work opportunities and can escalate into larger issues if misused. [Attribution: Local riders]
Some note that the practice both benefits and burdens the system. It allows more riders to work, but it distorts the normal hiring process and shifts responsibility away from the platform. The dynamic triggers debates about accountability and safety for drivers, customers, and the platforms themselves. [Attribution: Local observers]
Recently, reports describe instances where the account owner’s access was restricted after misbehavior or disputes. The person who leased the account ends up with little recourse when access is blocked. The human cost is clear—earned money disappears, and the renter is left without a livelihood. [Attribution: Forés and other riders]
Some argue this system arises because of a lack of authentication controls and inadequate regulatory oversight. Platforms may acknowledge the autonomy of drivers but question the barriers to entry that would deter exploitation. The concern remains that the current model enables abuse while offering a path to earn money for those who lack legal status or stable work authorizations. [Attribution: Industry observers]
In summarizing the situation, observers contend that if rental accounts were restricted or made harder to use, the market would shift towards more secure and compliant employment. Yet the pressure to find quick income persists, particularly for newcomers seeking shelter and stability in Valencia. [Attribution: Local riders]
Valencia continues to grapple with how to regulate these accounts while protecting workers. The broader question remains about whether platforms will implement stronger verification and fairer pay structures that reflect the actual costs of living and the risks inherent in this line of work. [Attribution: Industry stakeholders]
Valencia’s experience illustrates a tension between opportunity and vulnerability in the gig economy. The balance between autonomy for drivers and protections for workers remains an ongoing conversation for all stakeholders involved. [Attribution: Observers and riders]