Swiss authorities have revealed that about 10% of residence permits are fraudulently obtained. Nearly 50 people were recently detained with fake documents. Alexander Ott from Bern’s immigration police says many cases likely go unreported. Fake Swiss and EU documents are easy to find online, even advertised on social media.
Investigators warn that forged IDs from countries like Bulgaria and Belgium are commonly used. Since the pandemic, cases have surged, with 1,863 fake IDs caught at Swiss borders in 2024. Experts say counterfeiters are getting better, especially with plastic IDs, and border guards need more training to spot them. It’s a growing challenge.
