Spain Visa Fraud Probe Widens to Indian Firm BLS, Report Says
The Spanish National Court has expanded its investigation into an alleged visa fraud scheme at the Spanish consulate in Algiers to include BLS International, an Indian company that manages visa appointments and document processing at several Spanish consulates, according to Spanish media outlet The Objective.
The case, overseen by Judge Maria Tardon, began after the arrests in April of Vicente Moreno, the consulate's chancellor and second-in-command, and local employee Mohamed Boutouchent. Moreno's wife was also named in the investigation but was not detained. Judicial sources told The Objective that the probe was triggered by official communications from the Spanish Embassy in Algeria, after authorities from the Interior Ministry flagged an alleged network profiting from the fraudulent issuance of Schengen visas.
According to investigators, the network allegedly helped Algerian citizens enter Schengen Area countries by processing visa, residence permit, and self-employment work permit applications through irregular means. In many cases, applicants who did not meet formal requirements reportedly paid network members, who helped prepare applications using unverified, altered, or fraudulent documents. Some individuals were also allegedly assisted in obtaining or maintaining residency in Spain.
The investigation now extends to companies providing administrative services, including BLS, which handles visa appointment scheduling. The National Court reportedly said some BLS employees allegedly helped prepare applications and identified families willing to pay the network. Bribes in some cases reached Rs 27,93,500 per family, according to the investigation.
BLS received a Rs 19.55 billion contract from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2016 to manage visa appointments and documentation at various consulates worldwide, mainly in Russia, China, India, the Maghreb, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asian countries.
The alleged activities also affected legitimate applicants. Information obtained by The Objective suggests that arrested individuals allegedly ignored appointments for applicants who met all requirements, particularly those traveling to Spain for business or training.
The judge has charged the accused with five crimes: money laundering, crimes against the rights of foreign citizens, persistent falsification of documents by a public official, abuse of influence, and membership in a criminal organisation. Payments to those involved were allegedly made in cash, collected from individuals and distributed among members. Some of the cash was later brought to Spain and allegedly invested in legitimate assets, primarily motor vehicles, to conceal its illegal origin.
The police operation, codenamed 'Jazira-Cova,' was ordered by the National Court with support from the anti-corruption prosecution. Officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Unit, the Central Unit for Illegal Immigration Networks and Document Forgery, and the Sub-Directorate of Customs Surveillance participated.
After Moreno's arrest and release, Judge Tardon imposed precautionary measures, including confiscating his passport, prohibiting him from leaving Spain, and requiring him to report to the police station twice a month.
