News

Finland detects exceptionally large number of fake documents at eastern border

Holders of the bogus passports and residence permits likely paid several thousand euros for them, the Finnish Border Guard says.

Autoja kulkee rajatarkastusaseman ohi Vaalimaalla.
Dozens of people travelling with false documents have been stopped at the Vaalimaa border crossing point during September. File photo. Image: Kiira Ikävalko / Yle
Yle News

The Southeast Finland Border Guard has seen an exceptionally large number of false and forged documents being used by people attempting to enter the country.

For example, officials spotted 22 fake Belgian residence permit cards at eastern border crossing points between 8 and 18 September.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Border Guard said the forged documents were of high quality and had cost several thousand euros each. However, border inspector document evaluation specialists were able to detect the forgery methods used.

In addition, large quantities of forged Schengen-area border control stamps were also seen in many passports being presented at the crossing point.

Those attempting to use the forged documents came mainly from around the Caucasus region — including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia — and their final destinations were chiefly in Central Europe, according to the results of an initial probe by the Border Guard.

The Border Guard said suspects that were detained have admitted to committing forgery offences during the course of preliminary investigations and that many of them applied for asylum in Finland.

On Saturday, a man was held at the Vaalimaa border crossing point after he presented a forged Serbian passport, driving licence and identity card as travel documents. The man's fake passport contained five forged Schengen border control stamps.

On Sunday, a Russia citizen carrying a forged Italian residence permit was also caught at the Vaalimaa crossing point. Officials confirmed that he has since applied for asylum in Finland.

Latest: paketissa on 10 artikkelia