Fraud scandal: Benko suspected - five million euros disappeared!

Fraud scandal: Benko suspected - five million euros disappeared!

Wien, Österreich - The economic and corruption prosecutor has initiated an investigation against entrepreneur René Benko. This reports Vol.at . Benko sees serious allegations: he is said to have damaged an investor, presumably Hans Peter Haselsteiner, for five million euros. Accordingly, Benko Haselsteiner is said to have tempted this sum to the renovation officer of Signa Holding GmbH by stating setting a dividend amount to him in the event of a failure.

The allegations are particularly explosive, since Benko, who asked for financial support for the Signa subsidiary Sportscheck in autumn 2023 Haselsteiner, recorded his promise in a notarized guarantee declaration that promises a repayment by June 30, 2024 at the latest. Despite this assurance, however, Sportscheck also got into bankruptcy, while Benko himself trudge into financial ruin in March 2024.

Details on the accusation of fraud

past reports indicate that Benko brought the Haselsteiner private foundation shortly before the bankruptcy of Signa around the said five million euros. Haselsteiner had acquired Signa development shares worth five million euros in June 2022, although the purchase price should not flow immediately, but was taken into account by dividends that were attached to the Haselsteiner Foundation. By the end of November 2023, the Signa Holding finally submitted bankruptcy application.

Although further details on the procedure are currently not available for investigative reasons, suspicion is considerable. Benko's business activities and the associated legal challenges lead a light on the potential dangers of economic crime in the current corporate environment. According to a current study on economic crime in Germany, published by KPMG , 54 percent of the companies surveyed show an insufficient familiarity with the rules of the new Subject of delivery law (LKSG), which has been in force since January 1, 2023.

economic crime in focus

The LKSG obliges companies to implement measures to prevent and respond to human rights and environmental violations in the supply chain. The results of the study show that 73 percent of companies expect a noticeable impact of the LKSG on their business, while 38 percent of large companies fear reputation damage in violations. These requirements are of increasing importance and represent a challenge for numerous companies that have to assert themselves in the current economic climate In summary, the accusation against René Benko is a clear indication of the urgency of transparency and integrity in business life. The events around the Signa Holding and the effects of the LKSG show how important it is to deal extremely carefully with financial resources and to rethink long -term corporate strategies.