Widespread Naturalization Test Fraud in Germany Uncovered
9th February 2026
German police have uncovered a large-scale fraud network that enabled migrants to obtain language certificates and naturalization documents without meeting the required standards.
Authorities in Nuremberg said several suspects organised German-speaking deputies to sit language and naturalization tests on behalf of applicants who were unable to pass the exams themselves. The forged certificates were sold for between €2,500 and €6,000 and later used to secure residence permits or German citizenship.
The main suspect is a 39-year-old Iraqi national. During searches in Nuremberg and Hamm, police seized forged residence permits, falsified language tests, data carriers, cash and small quantities of narcotics.