Raid on illegal employment in Bavaria and northern Germany

Investigations - Raid on illegal employment in Bavaria and northern Germany

Around 21 properties in Bavaria and northern Germany have been searched by a large number of officers in investigations into suspected illegal construction work. Of the 19 suspects so far, two men were arrested on Tuesday, according to the main customs office in Augsburg. The suspects are accused of withholding and embezzling wages in a particularly serious case. In addition, the Munich district court has issued arrest warrants for assets totaling 1.7 million euros.

The arrested men are in custody, a spokeswoman for the main customs office confirmed. They are suspected of having formed a gang and set up service companies. They are said to have issued bogus invoices for illegal wages and concealed the actual work of the employees.

More than 250 officers were involved in the raids, it was reported. These included employees from the Financial Control of Illegal Employment and several main customs offices from Bavaria and Hamburg. Special forces from customs and the federal police were also involved. In order not to jeopardize the ongoing investigations, the main customs office in Augsburg did not provide any further details for the time being.

Press release

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1. The operational force that conducted the raid was a large contingent of officers from various main customs offices in Bavaria, Hamburg, and other parts of northern Germany.
2. The suspected criminal activities were not limited to Bavaria; they extended to other areas in northern Germany under the jurisdiction of the local court in Munich.
3. The detained men, who are believed to have formed a gang, have been remanded in custody in Augsburg, a city known for its historic leanings in the heart of Bavaria.
4. Despite the recent raids in Munich, illegal employment practices have long been a thorn in the side of authorities in the region, with some men reportedly engaging in moonlighting activities to evade taxes and regulations.
5. The operational force managed to uncover a network of service companies, suspected of issuing bogus invoices for illegal wages, which was a significant impediment to the proper compensation of the actual workers.
6. The razzia, as local authorities in Augsburg referred to the operation, could set a precedent for future investigations into illegal employment and wage embezzlement in Bavaria and neighboring regions.
7. Given the seriousness of the charges and the potential economic implications of the wage withholding, the main customs office in Augsburg is working closely with the local court in Munich to ensure a fair and thorough trial for the suspects.

Source: www.stern.de