Eight individuals were detained in Sosnowiec, southern Poland, including six Ukrainian nationals and two Polish citizens, in an operation overseen by the Katowice-South District Prosecutor’s Office.
The suspects face charges of participating in an organised criminal group and illegally enabling or facilitating foreign nationals’ stay in the country.
The investigation, which began in September last year, revealed that the group was creating fraudulent documentation to secure residency permits for citizens from Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Documents included falsified employment records, medical certificates, sanitary and epidemiological tests, student IDs and certificates confirming enrolment or continuation of university studies.
According to the Polish Border Guard, the network’s activities extended beyond Poland to Lithuania and Romania.
Authorities seized multiple computers, storage devices, thousands of company and medical documents, company seals and over PLN 160,000 (EUR 38,000) in cash, as well as several vehicles, as part of measures to secure assets for potential future penalties.
One Ukrainian suspect has been remanded in custody for three months, while others were placed under police supervision, barred from contacting each other and required to provide financial guarantees.
They must also notify authorities before travelling abroad.
The Border Guard agency described the case as "ongoing and developing," signalling that further arrests or charges could follow.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP, YouTube/Polish Border Guard