The National Police deems dismantled a network of 38 companies allegedly used to defraud three million euros from Social Security, in an investigation with ramifications in several provinces and connections detected in Girona. The operation has resulted in 12 arrested and nine investigated, while it remains pending to specify the degree of responsibility of all those involved.
According to the information provided by the investigators, the origin of the case lies in the alleged fraudulent decapitalization of a private security company. From there, the investigations point to a corporate structure created to channel the fraud, evade the payment of contributions and hinder the action of the Administration.
An investigation open since 2022
The proceedings started in September 2022, after information was received about possible irregularities linked to the sale of that company. Since then, the investigation has continued uninterrupted for more than three years and was closed at the end of January this year.
The agents maintain that behind the operation there was an alleged criminal group formed by 21 people, with different levels of involvement. The analysis of tax documentation, Social Security data, notarial protocols, and bank accounts allowed to identify the participation of those investigated in, at least, 38 different companies.
Deployment in several provinces and connections in Girona
The police operation has been developed mainly in the provinces of Seville, Leon, Madrid and Murcia. During the investigation, connections were also detected in Girona, in addition to Lugo, Granada, Valencia and Bilbao.
The National Police attributes a dual function to this corporate network. On the one hand, to move money and manage irregular operations. On the other hand, to hide assets and hinder possible actions by the Administration to claim the amounts owed.
Crimes under investigation
The nine investigated and the 12 arrested are being investigated for alleged crimes against Social Security, money laundering, frustration of execution, belonging to a criminal group, and corporate crimes.
The case remains open regarding the exact determination of the participation of all those involved. Investigators maintain that the business structure was key to sustaining the fraud and covering up the economic operation under investigation.