27 August 2026
Nearly two dozen Russians are suspected of illegal schemes to obtain Finnish citizenship, Yle reports. According to investigators, at least 12 individuals may have obtained Finnish citizenship without legal grounds. Another five individuals had not completed their naturalization process by the time the investigation began in 2024. According to Criminal Police Commissioner Teppo Tähtinen, the scope of the case came as a surprise to investigators. Police believe more people were involved in the scheme, but the statute of limitations for these cases has already expired.
The alleged criminal scheme had been in operation since 2003. The main suspect in the case created fictitious employment contracts that served as grounds for obtaining residence permits and then citizenship. According to police and the Border Guard, the suspect, a Russian citizen, had registered several companies in Southeastern Finland since 2003. However, they conducted virtually no real business. The participants in the scheme are suspected of paying for such employment.
The investigation revealed that the prime suspect, along with his accomplices, had been taking Finnish language exams for others and completing school assignments. Investigators are also looking into possible document forgery. The defendants are suspected of aggravated fraud.
To obtain Finnish citizenship, you typically need to reside in the country for eight years with a temporary or permanent residence permit. You also need to have a B1 level of Finnish or Swedish and have verified income. In 2025, 14,689 people were granted Finnish citizenship. The largest number of applications came from citizens of Russia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
Those with brains and money will find ways to escape the shithole. If they had been a bit smarter, they would’ve already fled long ago.