Investigations against perpetrator network due to illegal proxy exams

From naturalization tests to language certificates to driving licenses and certificates of commercial expertise: a network of perpetrators is said to have illegally organized relevant documents and certificates in exchange for money. The police in Osnabrück said that nine people between the ages of 26 and 51 are being investigated for these so-called proxy tests. Depending on the test, several hundred to several thousand euros are said to have been requested.

According to the information, there were searches at around a dozen properties in the Osnabrück area (Lower Saxony) as well as in Lienen (Steinfurt district) and Hamm (North Rhine-Westphalia). Arrest warrants were executed against two people because there was suspicion of smuggling in foreigners as part of a gang.

According to the police, a dozen cell phones were seized during the searches, as well as several computers, various identification documents, several thousand euros in cash, drugs and a crossbow.

The accused are said to have earned more than a quarter of a million euros from the proxy exams. Forged or falsified identification documents were used, on which the personal details of the examination participants were stated, but with photos of the representatives who were said to have posed as the registered examinees. In addition to the nine accused, other people are also said to have completed the exams.

Contact between the customers and perpetrators is said to have been established via messenger services, among other things. At least 100 cases are currently being examined by investigators. The Osnabrück police came across the suspected cases in March of this year when the cell phone of a then 28-year-old man was being evaluated - he was being investigated on suspicion of illicit trafficking in narcotics.