National Police agents have dismantled a document forgery network operating from Orihuela, in the province of Alicante. To date, 60 foreign nationals have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of document forgery. The operation began in late 2025 when the Orihuela Local Brigade for Foreigners and Borders received information about the presentation of alleged falsified international protection application receipts, used to fraudulently register for Social Security.
The investigation initially focused on companies in the agri-food sector in the Vega Baja region of Alicante and the province of Murcia, where workers were allegedly being hired with falsified documentation. The network primarily altered the application dates on asylum seeker documents to fraudulently obtain residence and work permits. In other cases, the photograph on the document was changed so that another foreign citizen could be employed under the identity of a compatriot who had returned to their country of origin.
As a result of the first phase, 12 foreign nationals working without authorization were arrested. Criminal proceedings were also initiated against the administrator of a company on suspicion of knowingly hiring workers with false documents.
The investigation led to a central Orihuela internet cafe, frequented by South American citizens, where documents were allegedly being falsified. The manager and an employee of this establishment were arrested.
Subsequently, another company in the sector was identified with a significant number of Colombian workers allegedly registered using falsified documentation. Four workers were arrested for document forgery and identity theft, as well as the sole administrator, who allegedly was the one falsifying the documents of the citizens they subsequently hired. A company that may have been a victim of the situation, with employees who had presented falsified asylum seeker documentation, was also identified.
Finally, investigative efforts, with the valuable collaboration of the business sector, have led to the arrest of more individuals, bringing the total number of detainees to 60 to date. The operation remains open, and further arrests are not ruled out.
