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Norwegian police have deported 12 foreign nationals in recent months for operating paid passenger transport services without valid permits
According to Norway's national broadcaster NRK, seven Malaysians and five Chinese nationals have been deported since September last year.
All those deported are also barred from entering the European Union and the Schengen Area for two years after leaving.
Police said the individuals did not possess valid driving licences or work permits required to operate tourist transport services in Norway.
They were detained during separate enforcement operations in Lofoten, Ofoten, and Tromsø, and have admitted to the offences.
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Image via r3dmax/FreepikAuthorities said they found more operators offering unauthorised guide services to tourists to catch a glimpse of the auroras as demand surged
Some tourists were reportedly charged over 100,000 Norwegian kroner (about RM40,000) per trip, which typically included accommodation, a driver, and a guide.
"All you need is a seven-seater or an SUV and someone who can drive. Suddenly, you have a Northern Lights safari business," said Kurt Kolvereid Jacobsen, head of the A-crime centre in Nordland.
"We see it especially in Tromsø. They stand on the street and pick up tourists," he added.
Jacobsen noted that these operators often offer tours at prices significantly lower than legitimate companies.
"Some tourists may see the appeal in choosing the cheapest option, only to discover that it is a private individual driving them around," he said, adding that it is unclear whether tourists are aware that such operators lack insurance and proper documentation.
Image for illustration purposes only.
Image via Klaudia Borowiec/UnsplashThe authorities warned that these cases pose serious safety risks, as the drivers are often not trained to handle winter driving conditions
"These are operators who work illegally and do not comply with the Working Environment Act. They undercut prices, possibly at the expense of safety. It also harms the reputation of the industry," said Visiting Tromsø managing director Lone Helle.
The illegal operators were each fined 60,000 Norwegian kroner (around RM24,000) by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and had their earnings confiscated before they were subsequently deported.
