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German and Austrian authorities dismantle language certificate fraud ring
Authorities in Aschaffenburg, Germany, have dismantled a large-scale criminal operation involving the fraudulent acquisition of language certificates required for German citizenship. Following raids on more than 30 locations in North Rhine-Westphalia and Munich, investigators arrested seven suspects aged between 26 and 46.
According to investigators, the group operated a professional forgery workshop equipped with high-quality printers to produce fake documents and IDs. As authorities increased scrutiny, the suspects allegedly shifted tactics from forging certificates to sending proxy individuals to language exams using fraudulent identification.
The suspects face charges including professional and gang-related forgery and the gang-related smuggling of foreigners. During the searches, police also recovered a firearm from one suspect. The operation involved cooperation between German authorities, Austrian law enforcement, and Europol.
Entities
Aschaffenburg Public Prosecutor's Office · Austria · Europol · Germany · Munich
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The fraudulent activity spanned across Germany and Austria. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The operation involved raids on more than 30 locations. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The investigation involved cooperation with Austrian authorities and Europol. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Seven suspects aged between 26 and 46 were arrested. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspects allegedly sent different people to language exams using fake IDs. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Investigators discovered a professional forgery workshop with high-quality printers. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspects are accused of gang-related forgery and smuggling of foreigners. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A firearm was found during the search of one suspect. www.dk-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.wz.de