The Public Employment Service (AMS) suspects social fraud in connection with courses run by a Viennese institute. AMS spokesman Gregor Bitschnau confirmed on Friday in response to media reports from APA that a complaint had been filed. The case is being handled by the Social Benefits Fraud Task Force (SOLBE). So far, 60 people are known to have been demanded back by the AMS for further training because the courses did not comply with the regulations. 50 of them are from Lower Austria.
According to AMS information, the registration confirmations submitted indicated that a quarter of the course was to be completed as a seminar. However, according to Bitschnau, these were actually “pure self-study courses”. This means that the conditions for funding were not met. “We are forced to demand the money back,” said the spokesperson.
12,600 euros refund
According to media reports, a woman from Waldviertel, for example, received a refund of 12,600 euros. The 32-year-old had received the money as a subsidy for an educational leave after her parental leave.
Those affected can appeal against the AMS’s decision to reclaim the money at the Federal Administrative Court. According to the AMS, the appeal has a suspensive effect. This means that the people do not have to pay immediately. In the event that the money has to be transferred back, the AMS says that payment in installments can be requested.
