After all, the media reporting and the rumored scope had already pointed to complaints and investigation orders back then – and thus to the need for a SOKO, according to the Interior Ministry.
In the meantime, there has been increasing evidence of the need for the special commission: finally, a number of complaints have been filed in connection with Signa. The investigations are ongoing and are being implemented, the Federal Criminal Police Office said. There are currently investigations into suspected fraud and serious fraud. The Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) took charge of the investigation.
SOKO under construction
Since the beginning of the year, the Federal Criminal Police Office has been working on setting up the SOKO – both in terms of personnel, technology, equipment and premises. A separate office has been set up in Vienna and a branch office is currently being set up in Tyrol.
The SOKO core team consists of 10 investigators with many years of experience in the field of economic investigations. In addition, employees are to be recruited in all federal states – especially in the state criminal investigation offices. The ministry said the SOKO might grow to up to 40 people.
