Police detain French man for scamming compatriots with false immigration procedures
Man announced services online and threatened victims who wanted to uncover him
Spanish national police have detained a French resident in Calonge, a town in the Costa Brava's Baix Empordà county, for scamming over €100,000 to other French people based in Catalonia with false immigration procedures.
Two other people are under investigation for the same charges: scamming, forgery of official documentation, and threats. At least five victims have been informed.
The detainee has 12 reports from French police for the same crimes.
The investigation started after a French citizen reported the man using social media to announce the aid in doing immigration procedures for those interested in moving to Spain.
He used to advise on Spanish culture or even recommend shopping centers, all with French residents as their key target.
Police reported that the detainee used a management agency, which never existed, using a fake VAT number, location, and invoices. He used to forge immigration documents and even notarial acts.
One of the victims, who had made public the scam online, reported to police that someone dressed in black and holding a gun appeared at night and told them that they "should erase all the videos or their family would be sorry."
The operation is still open as police believe there could be more victims.
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