Major Police Operation Dismantles Network Exploiting Asian Immigrants in Nail Salons Across Alicante

In a major operation by the National Police involving over 150 officers from four different provinces, a criminal network allegedly involved in human trafficking and labour exploitation in nail salons across Spain has been dismantled.

According to a statement from the security forces, the operation resulted in 14 arrests and the liberation of 23 exploited victims. Most of these individuals, originally from Vietnam, were contacted in their home country. They flew to Hungary, where they fraudulently obtained a Spanish residence permit. To repay the supposed debt to the organisation, the victims worked over 10 consecutive hours from Monday to Sunday without receiving any salary.

The investigation began in April 2024, when several workers in nail salons in Palma de Mallorca were identified as potential victims of labour exploitation. The inquiry focused on the owner of these businesses, who was also linked to managers of other nail salons in Alicante, Barcelona, Seville, and Vizcaya.

As the investigation progressed, officers discovered that these victims were recruited in their home country, mostly in Vietnam, and transported to Hungary, where the criminal organisation provided them with fake residence and work permits to enter Spain. Once in the country, the criminals provided them with housing to keep them under control and regularise their status. They were even enrolled in language centres, although they never attended.

This entire process generated a debt of up to 20,000 euros, which had to be repaid by working in nail salons run by the criminal network, with shifts exceeding ten hours every day of the week. The conditions and pressure from the criminals were so severe that one of the victims even attempted suicide.

The extensive operation concluded with seven raids in Palma de Mallorca, Seville, and Alicante, three of which were in closed establishments. Thirteen individuals were arrested, including nine Vietnamese, three Spanish, and one American, among whom were the four leaders of the criminal organisation, one of whom has been remanded in custody.

Additionally, a total of 23 victims of Vietnamese (19) and Filipino (4) origin have been freed, and 79,000 euros in cash, five luxury vehicles, jewellery valued at 8,500 euros, substantial incriminating documentation, and 291,000 euros in bank accounts have been seized.