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Charges Against René Benko Loom Closer: New Lines of Investigation Revealed
In the far-reaching Signa affair, the first charges could soon be brought against the insolvent company founder René Benko. The Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) has submitted an initial “proposal report” to the Ministry of Justice.
June 24, 2025
Acquittal for Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in False Statement Trial
The Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) acquitted former Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the charge of making false statements in connection with the Ibiza Investigation Committee. The judgment of the Vienna Regional Court from February 2024, which provided for an eight-month conditional prison sentence, was thus overturned.
May 26, 2025
Ex-Meinl Austrian Banker Peter Weinzierl in U.S. Pretrial Detention
The former CEO of the now-defunct Meinl Bank, Peter Weinzierl, is in custody in the United States. After years of investigations and complex extradition proceedings, the 59-year-old Austrian was transferred to a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York.
May 11, 2025
Joint European Police Raids on Benko in Austria, Italy, and Germany
In one of the largest cross-border raids in recent years, an international team of investigators has taken action against the imprisoned former real estate mogul René Benko and his Signa empire. Officials from Austria, Germany, and Italy simultaneously searched dozens of properties - including the Tyrol department store in Innsbruck, the Signa headquarters in Vienna's Palais Ferstel, and several warehouses and foundation offices.
May 7, 2025
The Western Balkan Mafia and its Operations: Vienna's Most Dangerous Shadow War
It is a hidden war that has long since left its mark in the heart of Vienna: The merciless power struggle between the Kavač and Škaljari clans, two of the most powerful drug cartels in Europe, is shaking not only their home country of Montenegro but also Austria and the rest of the world. One of Europe's most wanted criminals from these cartels has vanished into thin air. Austria is determined to track him down.
April 28, 2025
FACC Recovers Millions Lost in Sophisticated Fraud Scheme: Spotlight on China’s Role in International Asset Recovery
Austrian aerospace manufacturer FACC, based in Ried im Innkreis, has finally recovered €10.8 million, nearly a decade after falling victim to one of the largest corporate fraud cases in the country's history. The case, which involved deceptive emails, impersonation of top executives, and complex international money transfers, not only reshaped the company’s internal controls but also tested the limits of global legal cooperation—especially between Austria and China, where a portion of the stolen money had been frozen for years.
April 10, 2025
Vienna as a Safe Haven for Ukrainian Corruption Suspects
In recent years, Vienna has become a preferred retreat for Ukrainian citizens who are wanted in their home country on corruption charges. Among them are high-ranking personalities such as the former head of the National Bank, Kyrylo Shevchenko, a former deputy minister, the chairman of a state-owned arms company, a former member of parliament, and several oligarchs. Austria's cautious extradition practice compared to countries such as Germany or Poland contributes to this trend.
March 31, 2025
Signa Insolvency: Trustee in Bankruptcy Demands the Return of Gifts From Nathalie Benko
Real estate and trading mogul René Benko has been in custody in the Vienna-Josefstadt prison since January 24, 2025. Meanwhile, bankruptcy trustee Andreas Grabenweger is trying to shed light on the complex asset structures surrounding the Signa Group and uncover possible asset shifts.
March 24, 2025
Significant Increase in Terrorism and Youth Crime Cases in Vienna
Vienna is facing a noticeable increase in terrorism and youth crime cases. Recent figures from the Public Prosecutor's Office reveal a sharp rise over the past two years. What factors are driving this development, and how are authorities responding? Here’s what the authorities know so far.
March 20, 2025
UNODC Reports That Opium Prices in Afghanistan Reach Historic Highs
The price of opium in Afghanistan soared to $750 per kilogram in 2024, marking a tenfold increase compared to the $75 per kilogram price in 2022 before the country’s de facto authorities imposed a strict drug ban. This data comes from a new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
March 14, 2025
Austria at Unprecedented Low in International Corruption Ranking
Political scandals, a lack of transparency and structural deficits have brought Austria to a new low in the international corruption index. Transparency International is sounding the alarm and calling for far-reaching reforms to restore trust in the rule of law.
February 11, 2025
Financial Fraud as a “Growth Industry”: Record Losses and New Scams According to the Austrian Financial Market Authority
The Financial Market Authority (FMA) is sounding the alarm: financial fraud has developed into a real “growth industry”. According to the authority's latest figures, the total loss reported by financial fraudsters in 2024 amounted to around 15.5 million euros - an increase compared to the previous year, when the figure was 12.8 million euros. The dramatic increase in crypto-based fraud cases is particularly worrying. According to the FMA, the majority of these fraud cases could indicate that illegal financial markets are increasingly attracting the attention of criminals.
December 23, 2024
Abuse of Office and Saudi Deal for Ex-Mayor in Upper Austria
A controversial case of abuse of office and improper acceptance of gifts has shaken a municipality in the district of Vöcklabruck, Upper Austria. A former mayor of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) stood before the regional court in Wels, as he is said to have accepted payments from a Saudi Arabian prince over decades to enable the rezoning of grassland into building land.
November 28, 2024
Voestalpine in the Midst of an Accounting Scandal and Weak Quarterly Results
Voestalpine AG, one of Europe's leading steel and technology groups, is currently facing a double crisis. In addition to a massive drop in profits in the first quarter of the business year 2024/25, the company is struggling with the consequences of an accounting scandal that spanned more than a decade and only became public in June 2024.
September 18, 2024
United Nations Finalize Convention Against Cybercrime with the Support of UNODC
After intensive negotiations and several years of work, the member states of the United Nations finalized a new international convention against cybercrime. This convention represents a historic step in the global fight against the growing threats in the digital space.
August 12, 2024
Wirecard Trial: Further Charges Against Former Management Board Members
Four years after Wirecard's spectacular bankruptcy, the Munich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against two further former members of the Management Board. The focus is on the former CFO, Alexander von Knoop, and Susanne Steidl, responsible for product development.
August 7, 2024
Hopeful Peace Deal for Gangs in Gang Violence in Vienna
In recent weeks, Vienna's streets have been rocked by violent clashes between Syrian and Chechen youth gangs. These conflicts, which were initially perceived as ethnic tensions, have thrown the city into turmoil. But now there are signs of a surprising turnaround: Representatives of both communities have published a joint statement aimed at improving cooperation.
August 6, 2024
Vienna's Mayor Ludwig Reacts to Gang Violence in the City
In recent weeks, there has been a series of violent clashes between ethnic groups in Vienna, which have unsettled the population. The recent incident at Yppenplatz in Ottakring in particular, in which two men were seriously injured, has further exacerbated the situation. In response, Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced that the city's rapid reaction force will be increased in terms of personnel, while at the same time demanding comprehensive measures from the federal government.
July 21, 2024
Pilnacek Affair: Entanglements, Revelations and Political Upheavals in Austria
The Austrian political landscape is currently being rocked by the Pilnacek affair, a complex entanglement of power, secrets and political calculation. At the center is the late head of the justice section Christian Pilnacek, whose secretly recorded audio raises new accusations against the ÖVP.
December 7, 2023
Historic INTERPOL Meeting in Vienna Ends with Call to Fight Organized Crime
INTERPOL's 91st General Assembly in Vienna, held to mark the organization's 100th anniversary, ended with an urgent call to tackle the growing threat of transnational organized crime. The so-called "Vienna Declaration" outlines five priority measures to better support law enforcement agencies worldwide in the fight against this challenge.
December 3, 2023
Uncovering of Money Laundering and Real Estate Fraud in Austria and Cyprus
New leaks have uncovered a complex network of opaque asset transfers centered around Russian oligarchs and Austrian real estate. According to the investigative project "Cyprus Confidential", Austrian real estate is particularly popular with wealthy Russians. Around 40 Cypriot companies own real estate in Vienna, often penthouses in expensive locations.
November 16, 2023
German Car-Sharing Company Under Suspicion in Vienna for Million Euro Fraud
In a sensational move, police authorities in Germany and Austria have launched extensive investigations into a German car-sharing company, overshadowed by a blatant suspicion of multimillion-dollar parking fee fraud. The investigations are targeting the company's directors and involve alleged offenses such as gang crime, fraud, and document forgery.
October 11, 2023
Possible Spy Ring: Ex-Wirecard Manager and Suspected Russian Spies on Trial
British investigators suspect that former Wirecard manager and Austrian Jan Marsalek was involved in a spy network acting for Russia. This information became known through a communication from the British public prosecutor's office and was later reported by BBC and "Spiegel".
September 26, 2023
Interpol and UNODC Strengthen Global Fight Against Forestry Crime with Norway's Support
In a bid to combat forestry crime on a global scale, an international coalition spearheaded by Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supported by Norway has inaugurated the second stage of a revolutionary initiative, LEAP II.
August 27, 2023
Controversy Surrounds Jan Marsalek's Letter in Wirecard Scandal Trial
In connection with the Wirecard scandal trial, a letter from Jan Marsalek, a former Wirecard board member, is causing controversy. Marsalek, who has been on the run for three years, contacted the Munich Regional Court in writing through his lawyer.
July 19, 2023
Wirecard Trial: Entire Wirecard Asia Business Made Up
Wirecard's insolvency administrator, Michael Jaffe, has confirmed that the company's deal with supposed partners in Asia was completely fabricated, according to recent findings. This is according to Jaffe's fifth status report to the Munich District Court.
June 27, 2023
Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash Hiding in Vienna Faces Gas Purchase Manipulation Case
Dmytro Firtash, an oligarch who has lived in Vienna since 2014 and is linked to a U.S. extradition request, and eight other managers of gas companies in Ukraine controlled by Firtash have now been officially declared defendants in a criminal case.
May 15, 2023
UNODC Warns of Rise in Cocaine Smuggling
After a slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global cocaine production has exploded in the past two years, according to a new report from the Vienna-based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
March 19, 2023
Customs at Vienna Airport Seized 44,830 Counterfeit Branded Products from China
At Vienna Airport, customs officers made a brilliant bust during the inspection of an air cargo in mid-January. In 73 cartons, which should have been transported from China via Austria to Poland, the customs authorities found 44,830 counterfeit products of various product groups and brands.
March 5, 2023
New Technical Project "Safe Registration Office" Implemented in Austria
The reporting procedure will now be automated through the project “Safe Registration Office” in Austria. This is to prevent crime, the Interior Ministry said. In addition, the "Safe Registration Office" should in future also offer a possibility for a simplified report to the local police station.
January 9, 2023
Wirecard Scandal: Trial of Marsalek and other Austrian Entrepreneurs to Begin
The Wirecard criminal trial in what is believed to be the biggest fraud case in Germany since 1945 begins in Munich. The public prosecutor's office accuses the former Wirecard CEO, Austrian Markus Braun, and his two co-defendants of forming a criminal gang, falsifying the group's balance sheets and cheating lenders of 3.1 billion euros
December 7, 2022
Counterfeiting Cargo Shipment at Vienna Airport Disguised as "Aid Delivery" to Ukraine
Based on a tip-off, the route and the type of packaging, a shipment from Hong Kong via Dubai was subjected to a detailed customs check during a focal point inspection at the customs warehouse at Vienna Airport. As a result, it turned out to be a direct hit: 6,420 pieces of presumably counterfeit branded products were found in 168 cartons. These were disguised as an "aid delivery" to Ukraine.
November 30, 2022
Jewish Museum in Vienna Shows Political Acts of Contrition
The Jewish Museum Vienna is showing a video installation by film artist James T. Hong as the museum's first project to have more influence on social discourse. The exhibition "Apologies" displays apologies by heads of state for crimes approved or ordered by the state.
October 12, 2022
US and Austria's Joint Efforts in Combating Serious Crimes
A report has recently been published that evaluates the success of the joint effort between the USA and Austria in preventing and combating serious crimes.
August 5, 2022
FIFA and UNODC Against Match-Fixing in Football
For the first time, FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have conducted a joint international training program to support FIFA's 211 member associations in the fight against match-fixing in football.
August 3, 2022
Wirecard Scandal: New Indications for Marsalek's Stay in Moscow
Former Wirecard board member Jan Marsalek, who has been in hiding for two years, could be living in Moscow under the protection of Russian intelligence services.
July 26, 2022
Combating Violence Against Women: New Silent Emergency Call App Available From March
The Austrian government has introduced a new app to help counter the alarming trend of increased domestic violence against women. Read about the new app and other steps the government is taking to prevent violence against women.
February 10, 2022
Interpol Secretary General in Vienna: "Dangers to internal security in Europe originating on other continents"
The Secretary General of Interpol, Jürgen Stock, was in Vienna to meet with Interior Minister Karner to discuss security issues and the upcoming 100th anniversary of Interpol. Read about their meeting and the upcoming General Assembly in Vienna.
January 28, 2022
Austria's Initiatives to Strengthen EU External Border Management
Austria is co-organizing a conference in Lithuania to discuss EU external border protection. Interior Minister Karner, who will represent Austria at the meeting, first stopped in Hungary to talk about the issue with his Hungarian counterpart Sándor Pintér. Read more about Austria's efforts to strengthen EU external border management.
January 20, 2022
Wirecard Scandal: Europol Manhunt for Europe's Most Wanted "Marsalek"
Former COO of Wirecard Jan Marsalek, one of Europe's most wanted fugitives, is still the target of an international manhunt for his suspected role in a multi-billion euro fraud scheme. Read about the ongoing search for Marsalek and Europol's 2021 "EU's Most Wanted" campaign.
December 7, 2021
Cybercrime: New High-Tech Cybercrime Center Opens in Vienna
In response to an increase in cybercrime, Austria has opened the new high-tech Cybercrime Center (C4) of the Federal Criminal Police Office. Learn about the stark increase in cybercrime and the new Cybercrime Center.
November 10, 2021
Money Laundering, Tax Offenses and Terrorist Financing on the Rise
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior reported an increase in money laundering, tax offenses, and terrorist financing in 2020. Read more details about this disturbing trend and its causes.
November 4, 2021
The New Austrian Identity Card: Modern and Forgery-proof
Experts from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, Federal Criminal Police Office, and Austrian State Printing House have developed a modern and more secure identity card. The release of the cards is accompanied by a new mobile phone app that allows users to verify the authenticity of the new cards.
August 6, 2021
Hate Crime Motives in Austria: Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion
The Ministry of the Interior released a report on hate crimes in Austria. The report showed that the leading hate crime motives were ethnicity, ideology, and religion. Read more about the report.
July 29, 2021
Austria Participates in Huge Blow Against International Organized Crime
Right in the middle of an internationally coordinated campaign against organized crime, the Austrian police forces have seized more than half a million euros, 700 kilograms of narcotics and more than 30 weapons. Read more about the strike below.
June 10, 2021
Pandemic Affects Crime Statistics in Austria
The Covid-19 pandemic has positively affected Austria's crime statistics. In 2020, total crime decreased by 11.3 percent, while the clearance rate increased to 54.2 percent. Cybercrime remains among the major challenges and, in fact, was one of the only categories, which saw a major increase of cases in 2020.
March 22, 2021
25 Years Srebrenica: Austria Commemorates the Victims of the Greatest Genocide in Europe since the End of the Second World War
The genocide of Srebrenica, the worst crime in Europe since the end of the Second World War, is currently being commemorated for the 25th time. This day of remembrance serves to commemorate the thousands of murdered people who lost their lives in the days after 10 July 1995.
July 13, 2020
Money Laundering: Austria about to Ratify European Council Directive
The Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, which has already been ratified by 35 member states of the Council of Europe, is now also being discussed in the Austrian National Council.
February 18, 2020
USA and Austrian Ministry of the Interior Intensify International Cooperation
During his meeting with the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Wolfgang Peschorn, the US Ambassador to Austria, Trevor Traina, spoke among other things about the continuation of cooperation in the fields of organised crime and counter-terrorism.
August 24, 2019
Robbery of 10 Mio Euro in Front of Austrian Airlines Plane in Albania
During a robbery at Tirana International Airport, robbers tried to steal 10 million euros from an Austrian Airlines aircraft. The plane was supposed to bring the money to Vienna and was just loading. In a fire fight with the police, a perpetrator was killed on the run. All robbers had been identified and the police are pursuing the rest of the gang.
April 10, 2019
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