Dismantled in Málaga: network forging British driving licences with 592 documents seized
National Police dismantle operation in Mijas Costa and Marbella producing up to 100 false permits daily. Two gang leaders, of British and Ukrainian nationality, have been arrested.
International fake driving licence network dismantled on Costa del Sol
According to Google News ES — Crime (es), the National Police have dismantled an international criminal organisation based in the Málaga towns of Mijas Costa and Marbella, dedicated to the systematic manufacture and distribution of fake United Kingdom driving permits. The operation was carried out with the collaboration of the Border Security Command of the British Embassy in Spain and culminated in the arrest of two alleged gang leaders: one of British nationality and another of Ukrainian nationality.
Officers seized 592 forged driving licences, more than 56,000 euros in cash, nearly 41,000 dollars in cryptocurrency and a clandestine laboratory with capacity to produce up to one hundred fraudulent documents per day. The organisation charged around 300 euros for each document.
The origin: four postal consignments intercepted in United Kingdom
The investigation began following a communication from British authorities to their Spanish counterparts. United Kingdom security forces had detected and seized four postal packages coming from Spain containing a total of 287 fake British driving permits. That discovery revealed the existence of a continuous flow of fraudulent documentation with the principal destination being the United Kingdom.
Based on that information, investigators focused their inquiries on a criminal network based on the Costa del Sol. Police efforts made it possible to identify both the members of the organisation and the location where they produced the documents and managed all the logistical infrastructure for distribution.
During the investigation phase, officers intercepted a new postal package related to the suspects. Following the corresponding judicial authorisation, its opening revealed another 101 forged driving permits. With this action, investigators managed to seize a total of 388 fraudulent documents before the operational phase of the investigation.
Distribution via legitimate courier companies
The network used legitimate parcels and courier companies to send the forged documentation abroad. The documents were placed in individual envelopes addressed to both final buyers and intermediaries responsible for their subsequent distribution.
Investigators confirmed that numerous envelopes contained documentation with identities different from those of the recipient, which showed the use of intermediary networks to make police tracking more difficult. The principal destination of the consignments was the United Kingdom, although packages were also located addressed to Italy, Germany, France and Saudi Arabia.
The clientele were mainly residents in the United Kingdom. In that country, the driving licence usually functions as an identity document for numerous administrative and financial procedures, a circumstance that increases the criminal value of these forgeries and facilitates their use for unlawful activities such as fraudulent opening of bank accounts or acquisition of goods.
A high-precision clandestine laboratory
The final phase of the operation included three searches and raids on different premises linked to the organisation. Officers located a clandestine laboratory equipped with high-precision industrial machinery designed exclusively for the production of fake documents.
Among the items seized were laser and inkjet printers of significant economic value, heat-seal die-cutters, precision scanners, laminators and materials typical of high-level document forgeries, such as OVI inks and security holograms. According to investigators, that infrastructure allowed production of up to one hundred forged documents per day.
In addition to the 592 forged driving permits and the cash, the raids yielded substantial computer and documentary material of interest to the investigation, as well as nearly 41,000 dollars in cryptocurrency.
The role of PUNTO ATENAS
The operation falls within the remit of the National Police's Central Unit Against Illegal Immigration Networks and Documentary Fraud, which incorporates PUNTO ATENAS. This unit acts as a consultation centre for any officer who, in the course of their work, detects documents with signs of forgery or doubtful authenticity. Should the suspicions be confirmed, PUNTO ATENAS officers issue a Technical Report with digital signature which is added to the case file, with the objective of providing an effective and rapid response regarding the veracity of the analysed documents.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)