An investigation into a fraud scheme and the facilitation of illegal immigration linked to a football tournament in Alicante has uncovered the system used to secure international protection appointments.
The organisation reportedly recruited Venezuelan footballers with the promise of competing and taking part in trials for football clubs in the Alicante province. Once the players arrived at a hotel in Benidorm, the main alleged perpetrator demanded 250 euros in cash to secure a free asylum appointment and obtain a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number). Confirmation of the date and time to attend the police station was subsequently sent via WhatsApp.
The operation, carried out by the Unit Against Immigration Networks and Document Fraud (UCRIF), led to eight arrests. The National Police have distinguished between four individuals associated with the sports expedition and four others who allegedly acted as intermediaries to book the appointments.
The investigation was initiated after the Foreign Citizen Assistance Service in Alicante detected multiple applications sharing numerous elements in common. All applicants were Venezuelan, had links to football, were staying at the same hotel in Benidorm, and had secured their slots through intermediaries. Those in charge of the expedition told the players and their families that a Foreigner Identity Number (NIE) was required to link them to a Spanish club in a sporting capacity.
The recommended strategy was to apply for international protection. During the registration phase, the National Police provide applicants with a document certifying their status, allowing them to remain in Spain while the application is processed. Investigators believe this procedure was used instrumentally to obtain a NIE, even though the individuals did not meet the criteria to be considered refugees.
The alleged perpetrator demanded 250 euro in cash from applicants to arrange the appointment. After handing over the money, applicants received a WhatsApp screenshot containing their assigned date and time at the police station in Alicante.
An analysis of the files enabled the UCRIF to identify at least 12 appointments requested through four intermediaries. The National Police attributed six bookings to one intermediary, three to a second, two to a third, and one to a fourth.
Investigators identified one suspect as the direct link to the alleged leader of the expedition. He admitted to booking appointments at the leader’s request and receiving bank transfers in return. He also confessed to using his wife’s digital certificate, installed on his mobile phone, to make a reservation. His wife, who was also arrested, denied making the transaction herself, stating her husband used her electronic identification. When this main intermediary could no longer book appointments with his certificate, he enlisted others to make requests using their own digital IDs.
Another suspect admitted to requesting three dates, stating that one woman gave him 150 euro for her appointment while another player paid him 20 euro. A third suspect linked to two bookings claimed she handled one as a favour for the main intermediary, later receiving a 30 euro bank transfer for her trouble. The fourth suspect denied any involvement, stating her husband had her digital ID on his phone.
While players reported paying 250 euro per meeting to the main organiser, intermediaries admitted to receiving smaller sums ranging from 20 to 150 euro. The National Police believe there was a clear structure: the alleged leader collected cash from applicants, a liaison coordinated the bookings, and other individuals used digital certificates to formalise reservations.
The four individuals linked to the sports expedition face charges of facilitating illegal immigration, fraud, and belonging to a criminal organisation. The remaining four intermediaries are being investigated for facilitating illegal immigration and belonging to a criminal organisation. Seven of those arrested were released with the obligation to appear in court when required, while the alleged ringleader was brought before the duty magistrate in Alicante.
