Fraudsters dream great: motorhomes are captured by one million euros!

Fraudsters dream great: motorhomes are captured by one million euros!

Marchtrenk, Österreich - An organized group of perpetrators, consisting of Serbian, Romanian, Croatian and Austrian citizens, has rented a total of 13 motorhomes and two cars in a fraudulent way in the past few months in Austria and Switzerland. These activities took place between March and September 2024 and have resulted in an estimated value of approximately one million euros, such as 5min.at

The first rental case occurred on March 27, 2024 in Marchtrenk, where a motorhome worth around 85,000 euros was rented. This vehicle was never returned and resold in Germany. By June 14, 2024, seven more motorhomes worth around 500,000 euros were captured in several cities, including Salzburg, Vienna, Tyrol and Styria.

fraud by fake documents

The perpetrators use fake identity documents and manipulated vehicle documents, including Austrian admission certificates. The vehicles were registered in Germany at short notice to receive official registration certificates. In addition, some of the vehicles were sold with stolen blank approval certificates.

The LKA OÖ's investigation led to European arrest warrants against three accused. On June 25, 2024, a Romanian citizen was arrested in Germany and delivered to Austria. A Croatian citizen was arrested on January 14, 2025, while another Serbian citizen is fleeting. On September 19, 2024, there were further arrests in Wiener Neustadt, including a 49-year-old Austrian and a 60-year-old Serb.

The arrested were brought to the Linz judicial facility, while in Switzerland four motorhomes and two cars worth around 370,000 euros were captured in Switzerland. Here, too, all captured vehicles were ensured, while the ownership issues are still open. The cash prey amounts to around 400,000 euros, including 24,000 Swiss francs, which could be successfully secured.

public investigation and legal consequences

The authorities have launched a public search for two unknown perpetrators who use the aliases "Bane Leko" and "Dragan Peric". Notes on the identity of these perpetrators can be given to the LKA Upper Austria.

A recent judgment of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) underlines the serious legal consequences of forgery of documents, which are related to the machinations of the fraudsters. In another case, the BGH has decided that the submission of fake documents, such as medical bills, can lead to serious criminal consequences. Smallest deviations and counterfeits can lead to money or prison terms, as on Anwalt.de is.

The judgment illustrates the strict standards with which courts in cases of falsification of documents and fraud. The careful examination and the responsible handling of documents are essential to avoid similar crimes and their legal consequences.