At least 12 Russians are suspected of obtaining Finnish citizenship by paying for fake jobs and language tests.Image: Tiina Jutila / YleYle News16:43Police and the Border Guard say they suspect that a person has arranged fictitious employment relationships for foreign nationals, allowing them to apply for Finnish residence permits and citizenship.The activity may have continued for more than 20 years.At least 12 people are suspected of having obtained Finnish citizenship on false grounds. The citizenship applications of five others were still being processed when the investigation began in 2024.The main suspect has established several companies in south-eastern Finland since 2003.Taking language tests for othersThose applying for Finnish citizenship must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.The investigation revealed that the main suspect, together with accomplices, allegedly took Finnish-language proficiency tests and completed Finnish-language study modules on behalf of other people.According to the police and the Border Guard, the citizenship applicants would not have had a genuine chance of getting Finnish citizenship without the scheme.Authorities suspect both the applicants who allegedly used the scheme and the main suspect of aggravated fraud. The investigation has also covered suspected aggravated forgery and aggravated accounting offences.All of the individuals involved are Russian citizens.