Social security scam unravelled

NINETEEN Moroccans were arrested for defrauding Social Security of €350,000 on the Costa Blanca. The case came to light after the owner of an Orihuela construction company lodged a formal complaint against the gestoria that handled his official paperwork and engaged his workers. He had detected discrepancies and irregularities, he said. 

Police found that the agency charged Moroccan immigrants between €150 and €250 to provide them with work contracts without the owner’s knowledge.  They were then eligible for health cards, unemployment benefits and residence permits.

It is the latest in a series of similar scams across the Costa Blanca, with arrests previously being made in Valencia. The setup was allegedly headed by the 45-year-old Spanish owner of the gestoriawho faces fraud and criminal charges.