Fraud affair in Tyrol: Bosnian gang taps petrol stations 356 times!

Fraud affair in Tyrol: Bosnian gang taps petrol stations 356 times!

In a comprehensive police agency, a group of five from Bosnia-Herzegovina was recently identified, which was committed by a fake tank card in the period from March to August 2024. The group taped petrol stations in Tyrol, Carinthia, Salzburg and Upper Austria to steal diesel and caused considerable damage in the lower six -digit euro range. A total of 356 illegal refunds were registered, with 78 fuel stops recorded in Tirol alone. The Steinach-Wipptal police inspection took over the investigation that extended over eight months and suspects the group to be part of an organized criminal association. Further criminal steps against the suspects are underway, such as [5min] (https://www.5min.at/5202506021723/firmen-tankkarte-356-mal-sezapfen-schafen-im-Sechsgigen- und).

The use of fake tank cards is part of the broader problem of organized crime, which is still highly present in Germany and Europe. According to a current position of the Federal Criminal Police Office, the potential for violence and threats of these groups, which not only bring their own members, but also competitive groups and uninvolved third parties. In about a quarter of the investigative proceedings, significant results were achieved through the evaluation of encrypted communication, which illustrates the challenges for law enforcement. The damage by organized crime in 2023 in Germany was an impressive 2.7 billion euros, which represents a doubling compared to the previous year BKA.

The background of the fraud

The perpetrator group used a fake tank card of a transport company to obtain fuel without payment. In view of the increase in fraud cases in this sector, the question of security and valid identification in the tank card industry arises. An efficient identification process could counteract such crimes as that of Tyrol.

On the other hand, the situation in Austria shows that such frauds are not isolated, but are part of a larger structure of tense security sites that are tightened by the activities of organized criminal groups. Another result of the crisis is the increasing mobility of these groups across national borders. Cross -border investigations and close cooperation between international police authorities are therefore crucial for combating organized crime.