A group of Syrians, Afghans, Pakistanis, and Moroccans shamelessly exploited the Austrian social welfare and tax system, apparently using all means at their disposal—the damage amounts to approximately 4.8 million euros.
The investigation was launched in mid-2024 due to suspicious financial flows. Suspicion quickly solidified: behind professionally concealed money flows lay a complex system of over 200 fictitious companies, which were used to falsify income and employment and claim income tax refunds.
People with false identities from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria established companies, mainly in the transport, trade, or cleaning sectors, for small payments and registered as directors or employees, although they never actually worked.
Ten people from Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, and Morocco allegedly withdrew tax money in cash or transferred it to their own accounts. Family reunification was allegedly achieved using forged documents or sham marriages, after which social benefits were obtained.
It is reported that a young mother significantly increased her maternity leave allowance. Another woman without health insurance was registered with one of the companies to undergo an expensive surgery.
Incredibly, in one case, a Syrian even fraudulently obtained citizenship using forged pay slips. A procedure to revoke citizenship is expected to follow.
During 16 house searches in Vienna and Lower Austria, investigators found 186,000 euros in cash, 100 mobile phones, IT equipment, as well as numerous documents and bank cards. The investigation is in full swing, with over 200 people involved in the case.
"The structures were highly professionally organized," said Andreas Holzer, Director of the Federal Office of Criminal Police.