ARRESTED FOR SELLING FALSE ACTIVITY OPENING LICENCES AT ORIHUELA COSTA

They were asked for amounts of money between 4.000 up to 6.000 euros to apply for the Municipal Opening Licence, whilst in fact, the real cost was less than 1.000 euros.

The Guardia Civil carried out the so-called “Architect Operation” which has ended up in arresting two people who used to visit those business premises at the Orihuela Costa Leisure Area making building works. One of them two used to introduce himself as an Architect of the Orihuela City Hall, offering his services in order to apply and obtain the Municipal Opening Licence.

During the conversation, they used to assure businessmen to have contacts in the Orihuela City Hall, and in case of applying for the Municipal Opening Licence through them, they could benefit from a provisional licence within four of five days the most, getting the permanent licence in about four months. They used to assure business that in case they would not do it through them, it would mean to come into trouble with the police.

The businessmen were asked amounts of money between 4.000 up to 6.000 euros, whilst the truth is that these paperworks cost no more than 1.000 euros, includying the needed projects for the activity.

Once they had obtained the money, businessmen were given a copy of the paperworks stamped by the register office of the City Hall, so they could start the activity right away.

In fact, the paper the businessmen were given was not valid at all as provisional licence, for a stamped copy can never replace an opening licence.

None of the victims has received the promised municipal activity opening licence so far.

All in all it has been 45 cases for swindle.