- 51 Investigations into fraud in the coronavirus test
In the state of Brandenburg, 51 cases of suspected fraud in COVID-19 test billing have been opened by the public prosecutors' offices so far. In six of these cases, an initial damage of approximately 134,500 euros has been established, as the Ministry of Social Affairs in Potsdam informed on request by AfD member of the state parliament Daniela Oeynhausen.
In 32 cases, the amount of damage is still being examined. The remaining investigations have been discontinued or transferred to public prosecutors' offices in other federal states. Due to the ongoing examination of the billing documents, further suspected cases of billing fraud are expected.
The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Brandenburg (KVBB) has so far informed the public prosecutor's office in Potsdam of eight cases of suspected commercial billing fraud, leading to the initiation of seven proceedings. In a further 41 cases, the KVBB provided information to the investigators.
By mid-2023, the KVBB had processed around 3,600 so-called in-depth reviews of COVID-19 billings. Around 2,700 of these reviews were discontinued without measures. Around 720 proceedings were discontinued with measures, and around 200 proceedings had a billing rejected. In around 230 cases, the KVBB initiated proceedings.
Several proceedings against suspects outside Brandenburg
The public prosecutor's office in Neuruppin is currently conducting three proceedings in which the suspects do not reside in Brandenburg but in Berlin, Hesse, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The public prosecutor's office in Potsdam has four proceedings against suspects from Berlin. Another case involves a suspect from Saxony.
During reviews of the billing of COVID-19 test centers, the Robert Koch Institute reported a total of 196 statistical anomalies to the Brandenburg State Office for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection, and Health (LAVG) between July 2022 and February 2023. In 103 cases, there was an initial suspicion of criminal offenses of more than minor significance, which was passed on to the competent public prosecutor's office.
After excluding multiple reports on a suspect, the public prosecutor's office combined the cases into a single investigation procedure. The LAVG is currently reviewing 38 cases, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The ongoing examination of billing documents is revealing more suspected cases of billing fraud related to COVID-19 tests. In addition to the cases in Brandenburg, several proceedings against suspects outside the state have been initiated.
