06/14/2024
The Spanish Police captured a 39-year-old Colombian citizen who is accused of promoting the illegal migration of compatriots, some of them minors, with false promises of helping them enter professional football.
In total there are 25 young people who had allegedly fallen into the deceptions of this man who was based in the town of Arrasate, north of Spain. The alleged swindler He was placed at the disposal of the Gipuzkoa court, which is investigating the events.
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The complaint was filed by the SOS Racism Association, which warned in February about the arrival of some deceived young people to Spain.
Then, on April 9, through an operation, the Spanish police identified a group of young people who claimed to arrive in the European country to play on soccer teams. The victims had passports and a document that was, apparently, a “letter of invitation” to train with a club for three months, the maximum time allowed to remain in Iberian territory.
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According to Spanish media, the man previously requested payment of certain amounts of money for representation expenses. He also promised them support and housing, things that the young people also had to pay.
When the victims arrived in Spain, according to the EFE agency, they were located in different homes close to each other, where Colombians who were in the same conditions were already staying.
The man’s passport was confiscated and he is prohibited from leaving Spain. He must also appear in court every 15 days to give statements. Among those affected there are also young Mexicans and three clubs from the Basque Country region.
