{
  "id": 5767912,
  "title": "Guardia Civil busts black market census scam: Big business of migrant economy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/guardia-civil-busts-black-market-census-scam-big-business-of-migrant",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T11:22:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/05/guardia-civil-busts-black-market-census-scam-big-business-of-migrant-economy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Police in the Almeria province have arrested 14 people for running an illegal census fraud scheme. The operation, named Operation Costa, involves the Local Immigration and Borders Brigade treating the local municipal register as a product that can be bought for a high price. The suspects include owners of two houses, a go-between who booked slots at the town hall, and 11 migrants who used the certificates in their residence files. The price for a padron entry, which is necessary for obtaining residency benefits such as school places and health cards, can reach up to €600. This illegal racket has been operating in several regions of Spain, including Valencia and Almeria. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.",
  "summary": "Police in El Ejido have rounded up 14 people after a paper trail of invented home addresses in Roquetas de […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Police arrest 14 in illegal census fraud scheme (Operation Costa)",
    "Suspects include house owners, go-between, and 11 migrants",
    "Padron entry price up to €600 for residency benefits"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}