Tyrol in the fight against social fraud: Record numbers alert authorities!

Tyrol in the fight against social fraud: Record numbers alert authorities!

Tirol, Österreich - Last year the number of suspected cases of social service fraud in Austria rose to alarming 446, as reported. Of these cases, 316 landed in court what the authorities forced to act. The Task Force social service fraud (SOLBE) has introduced 285 administrative ads to the district administrative authorities. The total damage amounts to over one million euros, with the maximum status of 1.4 million euros in 2021. Herbert Kindlhofer from the Tyrolean Foreign Police emphasized that it is becoming increasingly difficult for fraudsters, since all applicants are informed precisely and a "certain criminal energy" is necessary to illustrate social benefits.

increase in law enforcement

The Task Force, which started in Tyrol in 2017 and is now acting nationwide, has informed 2,400 court offenses with a frightening damage of around 8.2 million euros since its foundation. Currently, 60 percent of the fraudal cases go to the account of foreigners, while 40 percent are eliminated. Solbe follows 50 different fraud strategies such as the screeching of minimum security despite sufficient assets or the abuse of pension benefits, as emphasizes the Federal Criminal Police Office . These forms of fraud range from unjustified social benefits to false identities that are used for illegal claims.

The legal consequences for intentional false information are serious: those who abuse the trust of authorities risk up to ten years in prison. In addition, administrative penalties of up to 4,000 euros can be imposed. The comprehensive cooperation and regular information between the ministries involved illustrate the seriousness with which social service fraud is countered. It remains to be seen how successful these measures will be in the future to protect the social system in Austria.