Finnish Counter-Strike professional Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen is facing aggravated tax fraud charges, according to information revealed in Finland and reported by
Iltalehti. According to details in the indictment, the alleged offenses would have taken place between May 19 and September 22, 2020. In this case, the Finnish Tax Administration has joined the proceedings as the injured party. The court hearing is currently scheduled for April.
Contacted by
Iltalehti, Aleksib said he could not comment on an ongoing case, but clarified that the matter reportedly concerns income linked to his career in competitive esports. At the time, the in-game leader was playing for OG Esports after a long stint with local Finnish organizations such as ENCE and HAVU Gaming.
Since then, he has become the most recognized Finnish player on the scene, with stints at G2 Esports and Ninjas in Pyjamas, but especially since joining Natus Vincere in mid-2023. With the Ukrainian organization, he delivered the best season of his career in 2024, winning the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the Esports World Cup 2024, the ESL Pro League, and the IEM Rio 2024.
NAVI was eventually named Team of the Year by
HLTV, while Aleksib received the IGL of the Year award. Two of his teammates, Justinas "jL" Lekavičius and Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi, also earned awards as Closer of the Year and Anchor of the Year respectively, along with their coach Andrii "B1ad3" Horodenskyi, who was named Coach of the Year for 2024.
