Police arrest 313 over fake jobs scams
Spanish police have arrested 313 people and called in another 328 for questioning after three investigations into massive social security fraud, officials said on Monday.
The suspects nabbed in raids in major cities across Spain allegedly defrauded Spain's social security system to the tune of €7.7 million ($10.6 million).
They are charged with tax crimes and welfare fraud, as well as worker's rights infringements and document forgery, police said in a statement on Monday.
The alleged scammers set up a total of 29 fake companies in Barcelona with some 1,544 staff to obtain unemployment benefits and subsidies, according to police.
Some also created fake jobs to illegally renew the work visas of foreign nationals in Spain, authorities added.
The arrests are part of new tough approach to social security fraud in Spain, signed off on by relevant ministries in 2013.
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The suspects nabbed in raids in major cities across Spain allegedly defrauded Spain's social security system to the tune of €7.7 million ($10.6 million).
They are charged with tax crimes and welfare fraud, as well as worker's rights infringements and document forgery, police said in a statement on Monday.
The alleged scammers set up a total of 29 fake companies in Barcelona with some 1,544 staff to obtain unemployment benefits and subsidies, according to police.
Some also created fake jobs to illegally renew the work visas of foreign nationals in Spain, authorities added.
The arrests are part of new tough approach to social security fraud in Spain, signed off on by relevant ministries in 2013.
Don't miss stories about Spain, join The Local on Facebook and Twitter.
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