Overview
- Police describe a multi-year probe that escalated into nationwide searches in January 2025 of homes, offices and copyshops, seizing extensive evidence and ready-to-collect forgeries.
- Investigators say the network fabricated Meister certificates, language proofs for naturalization, “Leben in Deutschland” attestations, security-industry documents and taxi operator competency certificates.
- Buyers allegedly paid up to five-figure sums to bypass exams and language requirements, and investigators estimate six-figure criminal proceeds.
- According to police, forged papers were used to run hairdressing and automotive workshops with apprenticeship training and, in several cases, to obtain German citizenship.
- The 47-year-old main suspect was convicted in April 2024 for commercial forgery, later fled abroad after new cases emerged, and Erlangen police formed AG “Fälschung” in November 2024 to coordinate the ongoing case.