Colombian man detained in Porto for forging hundreds of rental contracts for illegal immigrants
Northern PJ detained a 36-year-old Colombian for forging rental contracts and facilitating the illegal immigration of more than one thousand people in Greater Porto.
Porto detainee was collaborator in scheme that forged rental contracts for more than one thousand immigrants
The Northern Judicial Police detained a 36-year-old Colombian citizen on the morning of Tuesday, identified as the right-hand man of the leader of a network that produced hundreds of fake rental contracts in Greater Porto. According to jn.pt, the suspect allegedly facilitated the illegal immigration of more than one thousand people.
The scheme consisted of the production of fictitious rental contracts that enabled the issuance of residence certificates at local parish councils. With these documents, foreign citizens could begin individual proceedings with AIMA — the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum.
Hundreds of "residents" in a single property near the Ring Road
In just one of the properties used for the false rentals, situated near Estrada da Circunvalação, approximately 700 people were registered as residents. The suspects also used properties in Bonfim and Paranhos, in Porto, as well as in Vila Nova de Gaia.
The beneficiaries of the scheme were mostly from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, among other countries. In exchange for the falsified contracts, the suspects received substantial sums of money.
Network leader already in preventive detention since June
The head of the organisation was detained by the PJ at the end of June and is currently in preventive detention. The now detained man was his principal collaborator in the operation.
Brought before a judge at the Porto Criminal Instruction Court, the suspect was charged with the crimes of aiding illegal immigration and falsification of documents. He was released, but subject to fortnightly check-ins with authorities, prohibition of contact and seizure of his passport.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)