RESIDENCY FRAUD: Police bust fake citizenship ring in Spain

POLICE in Cuenca, central Spain, have brought down a gang allegedly arranging fake marriages between Asian nationals and EU citizens to acquire residency.

Officers from the National Police arrested seven people thought to be responsible for bringing in women from the EU who would pretend to be married to Asian citizens and help them live in Europe legally.

The reported head of the group, an Indian citizen living in Cuenca, also expanded his criminal ring into Motilla del Palancar, where he recruited another man to continue his alleged crimes.

The group are suspected of charging between €12,500 and €15,000 for their crimes, providing false marriage certificate, and allowing their clients to apply for family member temporary residence in the European Union.

Once the Spanish government granted a request, the gang then allegedly helped clients apply for an identity card.

Police claim the group even created fictional companies to fraudulently hire the EU spouses in order to fulfil the financial requirements for residency.

Officers found the gang fraudulently registered around 30 people in Cuenca and Motilla del Palancar.