Four arrested for hiring undocumented migrants in €1.5 million employment scam
Four people have been arrested in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, accused of employing undocumented migrants in local hotels, earning illicit profits of over €1.5 million annually, according to a statement released by the National Police earlier today (Tuesday).
The suspects, who served as managers and administrators of two interconnected employment agencies, allegedly recruited foreign workers without legal residency or work permits. These individuals were then assigned to cleaning jobs in tourist establishments across the island.
The arrests follow an eight-month police investigation, which concluded on 3rd July 2025. Two unannounced labour inspections were carried out in Caleta de Fuste and Jandía, where officers discovered several foreign workers employed without the required documentation.
Working in cooperation with the Labour and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS) of Las Palmas, the National Police identified the systematic recruitment of migrants via social media platforms, along with organised transport operations using vans and designated pick-up points. The workers were then distributed across various hotels.
Monthly Profits of Over €300,000
The illegal employment scheme reportedly generated more than €300,000 per month in gross income for the companies involved, amounting to over €1.5 million in net annual profit.
To conceal their involvement, the suspects allegedly used "front men" to register the businesses under false names while maintaining full control behind the scenes. They are also accused of falsifying official documents, providing workers with fake paperwork to pose as legal residents.
Following their arrest, the four suspects have been brought before the judicial authorities in Puerto del Rosario. They are being investigated for violating workers’ rights and document fraud, with further legal action expected.
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