Finnish companies allegedly duped into helping human smugglers

Companies thought they were inviting Asian businessmen to Finland

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Two Finnish companies are believed to have unwittingly become mixed up in the activities of an Asian ring involved in smuggling of humans.
      The organisation is suspected of having used the good faith of the Finns to get entry visas for people being trafficked. The companies thought that they were inviting bona fide Asian businessmen to Finland.
     
The Finnish Border Guard suspects that the smuggling organisation has brought "clearly more than ten people" illegally into Europe over a period of a few years. Some of the people reached their destinations, while others were stopped by officials.
      Jorma Alaniemi, the head of the investigation into the case, says that both the smugglers and those being smuggled represented a number of Asian nationalities. He gave no further details on their backgrounds.
      The gang is suspected of having charged the Asians large amounts of money in return for an opportunity to work in Europe. The Border Guard was not sure what kind of work might be involved.
      Alaniemi says that the same group has also brought people in through routes other than Finland, and had taken advantage of companies in other countries as well.
      The Finnish companies involved in the scam are small or medium-sized manufacturers of products for the construction industry and gardening.
      The companies were first approached by e-mail by the Asians, who introduced themselves as businessmen. They said that they had learned about the companies' products on the Internet and were interested in importing them to Asia.
      After several months of correspondence, the Asians asked the Finnish companies to send an official invitation to named individuals so that they might travel to Finland to discuss business.
      The Border Guard says that on the basis of the invitations from the Finnish companies, the organisation was able to acquire Schengen visas for people that they planned to smuggle into Europe.
     
One Asian delegation that received such an invitation actually visited one of the Finnish companies. "It was a very quick visit", Alaniemi says.
      "They had apparently noticed that it is a good idea to make an appearance, so that the visa taps are not shut off."
      However, in the other case, the anticipated Asian guests never showed up.
      The Border Guard does not suspect the Finnish companies of any criminal activity. "Their good faith was abused, but they have not committed any crimes as such", Alaniemi says.
      Vantaa District Court has remanded one Asian man in custody on suspicion of organising illegal entry into the country.
      Alaniemi says that the person in question served as an "escort" for people being smuggled from Asia to Europe.
      Finnish investigators say they have not managed to track down the leaders of the gang.
      The Border Guard expects to complete its preliminary investigation in the coming weeks, after which the case will go to prosecutors to consider what charges might be filed.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Border Guard concerned about increased direct flights between Finland and China (15.2.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat