Spanish Police Bust Network Exploiting Moroccan Immigrants in Sham Marriage Scheme

Immigrants, mainly Moroccans, without papers in Europe or other candidates for immigration in Spain fall into the trap of networks specializing in white marriages, reports Assabah. Their modus operandi is to offer them white marriages with Romanian or Bulgarian nationals in exchange for a large sum of money (between 60,000 and 120,000 DH). These women in an irregular and precarious situation have become their easy prey.

The Spanish police have managed to dismantle a network specializing in the organization of white marriages for the purpose of obtaining residence permits. A woman is among the members of this network. They have all been brought before the courts. They are being prosecuted for fraud and the formation of a criminal gang specializing in the organization of white marriages to facilitate the obtaining of residence permits for foreigners.

These networks help the immigration candidate obtain a residence permit that allows him to move freely within the European Union and to work. The amount required for processing a file is 5,000 euros. Not all of their "clients" are satisfied due to the tightening of control procedures in several European Union countries. In Belgium, 62% of the white marriage files filed by these networks on behalf of Moroccan nationals have been rejected.