Fraudulent language tests: naturalizations under attack!

Fraudulent language tests: naturalizations under attack!

An alarming phenomenon is making the rounds in Germany: attempted fraud involving language tests and naturalizations is increasing. Two weeks ago, a sensational case became known in Stuttgart in which a 32-year-old woman wanted to take a language test with a fake passport. The document actually belonged to a 45-year-old Iraqi woman. The police were alerted when an alert employee at the language center recognized the forged document. The fraudster has been in custody ever since. Investigators suspect that she did not act out of altruism, but rather got paid for the fraud. The authorities in Baden-Württemberg are faced with the fact that such incidents are not isolated cases.

The fraud phenomenon surrounding fake language tests and certificates is a complex problem with nationwide dimensions. On social networks like TikTok, scammers offer their services and promise to take citizenship exams without school and without actual exams. This casts a worrying light on the integrity of our naturalization processes.

Legal consequences and excessive demands on the authorities

The legal consequences of fraud are significant. Professor Winfried Kluth from the University of Halle points out that confirmed fraud represents a clear reason for revocation of naturalizations that have already taken place. If a requirement is not met, every authority has the right to revoke naturalization. Unfortunately, it turns out that many immigration authorities are overwhelmed. A lack of staff and training on how to recognize fake certificates make it difficult for employees to keep track.

In addition, readers criticize the inefficient structures of the authorities. Reports from “Stern” and “RTL” provide further context. There, the lack of pressure to act within the top management becomes clear, which is leading to a crisis of trust in the rule of law. Many are calling for reform of the naturalization process to prevent such incidents in the future.

A nationwide network

Recently, a complicated network offering fake language certificates and proxy exams was uncovered. This included a 52-year-old driving school owner from Heilbronn who, in collaboration with a 38-year-old Bulgarian and a 37-year-old Syrian, ran a system that offered tests for up to 5,000 euros. In June 2025, eleven arrest warrants were executed, which illustrates the dimensions of the problem.

Another example are two brothers from the Rems-Murr district who sold over 350 fake certificates. The penalties are just as clear: prison sentences lasting several years and winnings of over 300,000 euros speak for themselves. These machinations leave behind immense mistrust regarding the authenticity of language tests and their examinations, which, despite strict security precautions, are increasingly suspected of no longer being reliable.

The call for reform

Readers are increasingly expressing anger and disappointment at the failed controls and bureaucracy surrounding the naturalization process. Many require in-person language tests and call for drastic measures for fraudsters, including the possibility of citizenship revocation and deportations.

These current events require not only a clear response from the relevant authorities, but also a critical look at the systems in place that allow fraudsters to abuse our legal system. It is time to address these abuses and regain trust in our naturalization processes.