Man arrested in Fuerteventura for using another person’s identity to work and claim benefits
A man has been arrested in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, after allegedly working for several months under someone else’s identity while claiming unemployment and paternity benefits in his real name.
The arrest follows an investigation carried out between 18th and 27th November as part of Operation Marioneta, which uncovered a case of identity theft, labour fraud, and the illegal receipt of social benefits, according to a press release from the National Police.
The investigation began after the Extranjería and Borders unit, which regularly collaborates with employers and labour organisations on the island, detected possible irregularities. Officers discovered that the suspect had provided an employment agency with documents belonging to a compatriot to secure a job contract. The company initially did not detect the fraud.
After several months, the employer realised that the worker on site did not match the identity shown on the paperwork. They alerted the police and ended the contract immediately.
Once the employer was ruled out of any wrongdoing, police set up an operation that allowed them to identify the suspect. Checks confirmed he was receiving several types of social benefits at the same time as earning a salary under the false identity.
Investigators found evidence of two separate identities being used, resulting in financial loss to both Social Security and the Tax Agency. On 25 November, the main suspect was arrested.
The investigation also identified a second man who allegedly provided his documents in exchange for money. Wages from the job were paid into the accomplice’s bank account, but the suspect used the bank card linked to it.
To locate the legitimate document holder, officers requested assistance from the Provincial Police Station in Palma de Mallorca, which helped identify and question him as part of the case.
The National Police has now sent its findings to Social Security authorities so they can take appropriate action.
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