Seven people have been arrested in Tortosa over an organised scheme to falsify residency registrations, the Mossos d'Esquadra have confirmed. The regional police, working with Tortosa’s local force, say the suspects are linked to 23 criminal offences including document fraud, fraud, and crimes against foreign citizens’ rights.
The investigation began after the Ajuntament de Tortosa filed multiple complaints when officials noticed irregularities in new registration applications. Initial checks revealed a structured operation in which individuals were allegedly given false residency listings in exchange for money, up to €800 per person.
Some of the properties used for these fictitious registrations were abandoned or did not meet minimum habitability standards. In several cases, people listed as residents told investigators they had never lived at the addresses and, in one instance, only saw the outside of the building.
Payments and forged documents uncovered
One individual admitted paying €800 after being accompanied by a suspect to the town hall to complete the process. Another case showed a suspect receiving €450 for one registration and later offering another for €800. Investigators also found the same phone number repeatedly tied to multiple applications and individuals.
Police confirmed that forged rental contracts were used to back up false claims of residency.
In one documented case, a manipulated tenancy agreement was submitted to support a non-existent rental relationship. The operation allegedly enabled foreigners to obtain false administrative residency, aiding immigration processes despite no actual presence in the town.
Eighth suspect still sought
A further suspect remains at large and has not yet been located. The Mossos stress that the probe highlights vulnerabilities in municipal registration systems and reaffirms the need for cross-agency verification.
Residents who suspect fraudulent activity can report it directly to the Mossos d'Esquadra via their official channels here.
Primary sources: mossos.gencat.cat, govern.cat. Reported by diaridetarragona.com, Julio Collado, J. G. Albalat, Germán González, larazon.es, Mari Latorre, Marta Gutiérrez, Mar Puerto, Marc Rovira.
