The National Police announced on 12 May the arrest of 17 individuals in Linares, Jaén, for running an ‘empadronamiento’ racket that sold bogus address registrations to undocumented migrants for €500-€800 per person. Officers discovered flats of 80 m² officially housing up to 21 people who never lived there. A further 26 suspects are being sought. Registering on the municipal padrón is a prerequisite for many immigration procedures, including Spain’s new extraordinary regularisation and applications based on social-rootedness (arraigo social). By fabricating proof of residence, the network enabled clients to access public healthcare, schooling and, crucially, to launch residency filings they would not otherwise qualify for. The police are also pursuing administrative fines of up to €100,000 against landlords who allowed the practice. Immigration consultants say the crackdown is a warning ahead of the mass regularisation: fraudulent padrón entries could lead to criminal charges and deportation as the Ministry of Inclusion cross-checks applications against police data. For employers, the case highlights due-diligence obligations. Companies sponsoring local hires or dependants must verify that documents such as padrón certificates are genuine; accepting forged proof can expose firms to penalties for facilitating irregular stay. Mobility teams should review onboarding checklists and, where doubt exists, request recent utility bills or rental contracts in addition to the padrón certificate. Authorities indicated the investigation, dubbed ‘Operación Gloria’, is nationwide and may uncover similar schemes in other provinces, signalling ongoing enforcement risks throughout 2026.
Source: Europa Press Andalucía
