"Alerted by a tip-off, police began investigating in 2024 that a préfecture employee named only as 'Rico' was advertising the delivery of carte de séjour residency permits in exchange for cash."
"A search of his home revealed stolen official stamps and préfecture files, as well as the details of his alleged accomplice, who advertised as a lawyer specialising in immigration matters, particularly the delivery of cartes de séjour, French media reported. The man, who has no legal qualifications, was charging foreigners in France up to €6,000 for immigration-related advice and services. For a flat fee of €300, he promised that he could track the process of an application through the préfecture."
A long-serving préfecture employee known as 'Rico' is accused of advertising the delivery of cartes de séjour residency permits and other administrative services in exchange for cash. Police began investigating in 2024 after a tip-off and found stolen official stamps, préfecture files and details of an alleged accomplice who posed as a specialist immigration lawyer without legal qualifications. The accomplice charged up to €6,000 and offered a €300 tracking service. Authorities identified 40 clients who may have received permits illegally, questioned 46 préfecture employees, and charged the two main suspects with corruption and illegal practice.
Read at The Local France
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]