An investigation by Hacienda, the tax office, using satellites and drones, has found some 49,821 properties in the Murcia region with illegal improvements or renovations, including 7,473 swimming pools.
In this total there are some 20.924 illegal new buildings.
The investigation has been carried since 2014 using new technologies to uncover fraud and has resulted in 1,254 million euros in extra reveneue for local town halls.
IBI, the equivalent of the UK Council Tax,is key to the finances of the local adminstrations, mkaing up 50% of their income.
The investigation is ongoing.
