Nathalie Benko is in sight: luxury safe causes excitement!

Nathalie Benko is in sight: luxury safe causes excitement!

The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) investigates Nathalie Benko, the wife of the real estate entrepreneur René Benko, for alleged wealth veiling. The allegations refer to the suspicion that she should have helped her husband hide the luxury watch and cash. Both vehemently deny the allegations, but the case causes great sensation in public due to its explosive details.

According to information from OE24 , a vault was discovered in March 2024 and bought in the house Aunt is said to have set up in pounds. There were eleven valuable men's watches, seven rings and 120,000 euros in cash. Eight of the watches are said to belong to Signa founder René Benko and were not declared in the bankruptcy proceedings. This in turn argues that the clocks are Christmas gifts for their minor sons who were stored for "security reasons" at the aunt. However, the public prosecutor considers this argument to be understandable, especially since the Benkos residential building in Innsbruck-Igls is considered "highly assured".

searches and investigations

The WKStA's investigation expanded to Nathalie Benko after information in the form of a tip from a former bodyguard from René Benko. This led the investigators directly to the said safe. On Friday there were house searches in the Benkos luxury villa in Innsbruck, where two hunting rifles, ammunition and 5,000 euros in cash were secured. In addition, the family's smartphones were also confiscated. Today reports that Nathalie Benko's brother also came into the focus of the investigation, but no evidence was found against him.

Nathalie Benko is accused of being actively involved in her husband's “wealth veiling”. She applied for the return of the confiscated rings, but the investigators remain tough. René Benko has been in custody since January 2025 and has declared that he only had learned from the safe with the valuables later.

background of economic crime

The case raises questions about economic crime that make up a significant part of crime statistics in Germany and Austria. The tort groups include investment offenses, insolvency offenses and certainly also the allegations that were raised against the Benkos. The Federal Criminal Police Office declares that the number of unreported cases in this area is not high and many criminal offenses are not recorded.

While the investigation continues, the principles of presumption of innocence apply to everyone involved. The creditors who are waiting for billions see themselves weakened by the continued procedures and the complexity of the case in their position.