Natus Vincere captain Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen is at present beneath investigation for tax fraud in Finland.
First reported by a Finnish information outlet, Aleksib has been accused of aggravated tax fraud. The criticism was filed by the Finnish Tax Administration in 2020, and the case is now being transferred to the Japanese Uusimaa District Court docket. A listening to will happen in April 2026.
Aleksib has confirmed that there’s an ongoing authorized course of associated to esports earnings, however he hasn’t mentioned a lot past that. He merely said: “I can’t touch upon the case as a result of it’s nonetheless into account.”
Aleksib is among the most distinguished and profitable Counter-Strike 2 gamers from Finland. Main Natus Vincere, he received the PGL Main Copenhagen in 2024 and was nominated for Athlete of the 12 months in Finland in 2025, a uncommon honor for an esports professional.
After competing in almost 130 esports tournaments, Aleksib has reportedly received round $852,000.
After discovering out about Aleksib’s tax fraud troubles, followers began digging round a bit. Apparently, one other Finnish participant was accused of tax fraud in 2023: Dota 2 participant Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka.
The interpretation is somewhat tough, however it appears the audit occurred in 2020, when JerAx was competing for OG and likewise a part-owner of the group. Apparently sufficient, Aleksib was additionally taking part in for OG when he was being investigated. This led some followers to imagine that OG had a cost mannequin that was getting gamers in bother in Finland, the place tax legal guidelines are stricter.
After all, nothing is confirmed. It additionally appears seemingly that JerAx was claiming a ton of bills he shouldn’t have beneath his enterprise to make his taxes decrease. One fan famous that Aleksib seemingly did the identical, not paying earnings tax from his OG earnings that went immediately into the corporate account. They recalled Aleksib claiming that it was firm earnings and never private earnings, however the Finnish tax administration didn’t agree.
After all, nothing is confirmed. However it additionally appears seemingly that JerAx was claiming a ton of bills he shouldn’t have beneath his enterprise to pay much less taxes.
Whether or not Aleksib is harmless or not, jail time is fairly uncommon for first-time offenders in Finland. It’s in all probability simply easy tax evasion, however that’s one thing Finland takes very significantly, in accordance with residents.
