Data Misuse and Falsification

A large-scale fraud scheme has been uncovered in Germany, where individuals took German language and citizenship exams on behalf of those unable to do so themselves. Meanwhile, a much larger scandal erupted in Denmark when it was revealed that citizenship data had fallen into the hands of criminals.

English NAGYVILÁG 2026. FEBRUÁR 11. 07:59

In October, authorities in Germany uncovered an intermediary who was sending German-speaking proxies to take language exams. These proxies presented forged documents to the examiners, which included the representative’s photograph and the ‘client’s’ personal details. With the acquired language certificates, the fraudsters were able to obtain residence permits or naturalization documents.

In January, a 22-year-old German man was arrested while taking his assistant officer exam. According to police reports, subsequent searches in Nuremberg and Hamm uncovered numerous data storage devices, forged residence permits and language certificates, as well as a large amount of cash and a small quantity of drugs.

Another agency found that around 20 individuals in North Rhine-Westphalia were involved in the scams, with ten of them identified. In November, the state of Lower Saxony identified approximately 230 cases of forged language or integration documents. In Hesse, estimates suggest that 70 counterfeit language certificates and around 35 manipulated certificates of basic civic knowledge have been discovered since 2024. In Saxony, this number is believed to be in the low double digits.

The discovery of fraud cases has not always resulted in appeals. „We do not consider it necessary to conduct a comprehensive, retrospective review of all naturalizations,” stated Lower Saxony. Other states have also rejected any form of review—whether random or comprehensive. As Bavaria announced, such reviews will only be conducted „if there is sufficient evidence,” according to the German publication Junge Freiheit.

According to a report by Remix News, prosecutors in Nuremberg highlighted that during the fraud, candidates participated in exams using forged documents that featured their photographs but contained the actual personal details of other applicants.

Applicants reportedly paid between €2,500 and €6,000 per exam. Because the documents appeared legitimate, the fraud went undetected, resulting in the issuance of genuine documents that were used to obtain residency permits or citizenship.

The Central Franconia police headquarters announced on Monday that two individuals are currently in custody, including a 39-year-old Iraqi man identified as the primary intermediary, who is in pre-trial detention. Additionally, a 22-year-old German man was arrested in January while attempting to take such a language exam.

Access to Sensitive Data in Denmark

A former student assistant employed by the Copenhagen municipality is set to stand trial this week. He is accused of illegally collecting personal data from Denmark’s civil registry and selling this information to criminal networks—primarily migrant gangs—who allegedly used it to plan robberies, violent attacks, and attempted murders, as reported by Remix News.

The indictment states that the 27-year-old systematically accessed the identification numbers, addresses, and family details of approximately 1,598 individuals while working at the municipality, passing the information on to criminal contacts for payment.

„This is a case we are taking very seriously. It is concerning that there are state or municipal officials who assist criminals,” said Inspector Henrik Andersen from Denmark’s National Serious Crime Unit (NSK) to TV2.

According to prosecutors, one of the most serious incidents related to the data involved an attempted murder in the summer of 2024. The defendant allegedly acquired the social security number, address, and family details of a man living in Herning and later passed this information to members of organized crime.

Reports indicate that two Swedish teenage girls, aged just 14 and 15, were recruited by migrant gangs to travel to Denmark and kill a man. This occurred on June 10, 2024, with a loaded firearm, but the intended victim was not at home.

Prosecutors claim that in further incidents, the stolen data was used to identify victims and their relatives, allowing criminals to track them down. In certain cases, severe violence was employed to acquire money and valuables.

The trial also revealed how freely the defendant could search Denmark’s central personal registry between June 2023 and July 2024 while working in local government administration. The police believe the defendant was aware that the information would be used for criminal activities.

The former municipal employee faces charges of complicity in robbery, grievous bodily harm, and manslaughter. Prosecutors must prove that the defendant understood the information sold could lead to crimes and accepted this risk.

Migrants and their descendants overwhelmingly dominate gang activity in Denmark and across Scandinavia. A government report published in October 2025 revealed that nearly three-quarters of those convicted under Denmark’s „gang law” were either immigrants or descendants from non-Western countries. Data released by the Ministry of Justice in response to a parliamentary question from conservative MP Mai Mercado shows that between 2018 and 2025, a total of 213 individuals were convicted under Section 81a of the Penal Code—a provision that allows courts to double sentences if the crime is likely to provoke gang-related violence. Of those convicted, 54 were of Danish descent, 36 were immigrants from non-Western countries, and 117 were descendants of non-Western immigrants.

English NAGYVILÁG

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denmark, germany, migrants