Police in Spain say they have found two separate groups that ripped off mostly Brazilian families by telling them they could make their sons into top football players.
Families say that the gangs sold them false expectations. Police say that each player had to pay a one-time fee of more than 5,000 euros (£4,400) and then up to 1,700 euros per month.
Police say that about 70 families were scammed and that 11 people have been caught. Families were told that the money would pay for things like tuition, housing, and paperwork for residency permits in the city of Granada.
But, according to the statement, the players lived in houses provided by the small clubs, had little food, and none of them were able to get legal residency in Spain.
Most of the players were 16 to 23 years old and from Brazil.
Police say that the gangs, which did not work together, shared responsibilities.
Some people in the gangs tried to find new members by going after wealthy families in their home countries. The second group was part of educational centers that gave fake proof of registration so that the players could get visas.
A third group of managers was in charge of the overall strategy.
One of the players went to the police and asked them to look into it.
