Aleksi “Aleksib“ Virolainen, the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) player, captain of Natus Vincere (NAVI) and one of Finland’s most prominent sports figures, is facing charges of aggravated tax fraud in his homeland. The case has been filed in the District Court of East Uusimaa, with the alleged offences dating back to a four-month period between May and September 2020.
As reported by by Finnish media outlet Iltalehti, the investigation, initiated by the Finnish Tax Administration, centres on income earned from competitive gaming during a transitional phase of Aleksib’s career. The case reportedly centers on how prize money and salary were taxed—specifically whether income should have been treated as personal earnings rather than corporate revenue through his company.
At the time of the alleged offences, Virolainen was playing for OG, having previously led the Finnish organisation ENCE to a historic Major final. The case is scheduled for a formal hearing in April 2026.
When approached by Iltalehti, Virolainen declined to comment on the specifics of the ongoing legal proceedings, stating the case is related to income received from competitive gaming.
The timing of the legal challenge stands in stark contrast to Virolainen’s professional trajectory. Over the last two years, he has cemented his status as a national icon in Finland: In 2024, he led NAVI to victory at the PGL Major Copenhagen, becoming the first Finn to ever win a CS Major.
The April timeframe for the court hearing can create a significant logistical question mark for NAVI. With both IEM Rio and BLAST Rivals taking place that month.
Under the Finnish penal code, a tax fraud charge is elevated to “aggravated” based on the scale of the financial benefit or the methodical nature of the alleged evasion. If convicted, the sanctions can range from four months to four years of imprisonment, though fines or suspended sentences are common for first-time offenders in financial cases.
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