The Civil Guard has uncovered an alleged criminal network in Archena, Murcia, dedicated to the fraudulent issuing of municipal registration certificates to foreign nationals.
Investigators have detected around 600 fraudulent certificates issued between 2021 and 2024. According to the investigation, those involved charged between €50 and €600 for each certificate, depending on the type of procedure requested.
A municipal employee and a second individual who allegedly acted as an intermediary between applicants and the official have been arrested on suspicion of document falsification.
The operation, named “Falsitatis”, was launched in 2024 after Archena Town Council informed the Civil Guard of suspected irregularities in the municipal register. Authorities in other autonomous communities had reportedly raised concerns after receiving certificates issued by Archena Town Council that appeared to be false.
Judicial Police specialists took over the investigation and carried out a detailed analysis of the municipal register database. They detected several anomalies, including incorrect housing references and an unusually high number of people registered at the same address.
The findings were reported to the judicial authorities, allowing investigators to seize the computer equipment allegedly used to issue the official documents. A digital analysis of the material revealed approximately 600 fraudulent certificates issued over a three-year period.
The investigation focused on a municipal official responsible for handling this type of administrative procedure. Officers believe the employee allegedly issued official documents containing false, incorrect or altered data in exchange for financial gain.
Following authorisation to search the suspect’s home, the Civil Guard seized a large number of documents, including certificates and applications, mobile phones and even a municipal stamp.
Investigators later identified a second suspect, believed to have connected foreign nationals with the municipal employee. According to the Civil Guard, this person allegedly used his background to contact compatriots and offer tailor-made municipal registration certificates.
The Civil Guard said the operation has now concluded with the arrest of both suspects as alleged perpetrators of document falsification. Archena Town Council provided key assistance throughout the investigation.
