- Multitudes of Language Examinations Manipulated Unfairly - Cheater Found Guilty
In a well-organized scheme, a pair of siblings, hailing from Baden-Württemberg, have been producing and selling falsified documents like language certificates and documents from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to numerous individuals. The elder brother, aged 32, and his 6-year-older sibling received prison sentences of 4.5 and 4 years and 8 months, respectively, by the Stuttgart Regional Court. The charges against them included forgery in 355 cases. The two brothers, both natives of Kosovo, had made detailed confessions. The younger brother is still detained for similar allegations.
The duo from Aspach (Rems-Murr district) had jotted down names, addresses, prices, and any outstanding debts in their notebooks. The estimated income from these illegal activities was at least €313,940, as per the presiding judge. The forgeries were executed professionally using tampered data storage with manipulated test results, which were accessible via QR codes. The counterfeit documents were delivered to clients at a restaurant in Backnang, via mail, or through a suspected accomplice language school in Ellwangen. Approximately 220 times, clients submitted the forged documents to authorities to secure a residence permit or citizenship.
Since 2008, language tests have been compulsory for immigrants seeking German citizenship. The objective is to verify if they have sufficient command over the German language for effective communication in day-to-day life, at work, and with authorities. The sentences are yet to be finalized, and both individuals have the option to appeal. The prison terms fall within the agreed-upon range between the defense and prosecution.
The falsified documents, including language certificates and documents from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, were initially processed and distributed from a language school in Ellwangen, suspected to be an accomplice. Following their crimes, the siblings were convicted by the Court of First Instance in Stuttgart.
