Mafias sell immigration appointments for up to 1000 euros per appointment.

Getting an appointment at the Foreigners' Office is a ordeal. The appointments fly as soon as they come out – literally – and behind it there is a shady business that moves money. Mafias with bots are in charge of hoarding all the slots on the official website to then sell them: from 50 euros to 1,000, depending on the procedure and how desperate you are.

We have seen them on Telegram, in Facebook groups, on Milanuncios and even on Wallapop. The trick is always the same: they ask for your data and photos of your documents, and they 'gift' you an appointment they've grabbed with the bot. You pay only when the appointment is confirmed – so you trust – but be careful: even if the appointment is real, you are buying something illegal and your data is taken by strangers. Do you trust them?

If you call these 'sellers', you will have to wait and hear excuses. Some offer you a complete package: appointment + fake registration + fake domestic partnership, all for an extra. They take advantage of your desperation, period.

In May 2023, the National Police arrested 60 people for hacking the appointment system. The network used bots to block agendas and resell slots. There were lawyers involved buying appointments for their clients. According to Ospina law firm, those lawyers did not necessarily have to know they were illegal, and the case could be dismissed for them. But the prosecutor's office continues investigating, watch out.

And what can you do? First of all, do not pay anyone. Illegal and you also feed the scheme. Try to get the appointment through official channels: insist at different times, especially early in the morning or after lunch. You can also call by phone or go to a Foreigners' Office if it is very urgent. Some communities have specific windows for roots or asylum. Get moving, but without paying.

If you have difficulties with your appointment or procedure, write to us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria