The investigation, initiated in late 2025, focuses on the manipulation of international protection application receipts to allow foreign citizens to work illegally in agri-food sector companies. The ring operated from a call center in the center of Orihuela.
Those involved altered document dates to simulate compliance with work requirements or changed photographs to use the identity of authorized individuals who had already returned to their home country. The goal was to facilitate the hiring of individuals in irregular situations in Spain.
The Orihuela Local Brigade of Immigration and Borders began the investigation following information about the possible use of forged documents by Colombian citizens for fraudulent Social Security registrations.
In the first phase, twelve individuals and a company administrator were arrested. Subsequently, the call center where documents were forged was located, leading to the arrest of its manager and a worker. The investigation also implicated another company with Colombian workers who allegedly used manipulated documentation, resulting in four more arrests and the detention of the administrator.
Collaboration from the business sector has helped identify other individuals involved. So far, the operation has resulted in 60 arrests. The National Police are keeping the investigation open and do not rule out further arrests.
