These “companies” avoid registering workers with the ÖGK in order to evade wages and non-wage labor costs. The damage caused in this way is estimated at around 800 million euros per year. The work of the SOKO has led to the identification and blocking of 455 bogus companies since 2021. Vienna. “The majority of companies adhere to the rules. This makes it all the more important that we take targeted action against black sheep. Social fraud not only distorts competition, but also affects all hard-working taxpayers, who ultimately have to bear the damage caused,” emphasized Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) in a press release today.
Damage volume amounts to 11 million euros
Currently, six network cases – according to the ministry, these are cases with a particular financial criminal impact – are being processed that extend across the entire country and beyond national borders. Up to 80 associated companies are involved in each network case. According to previous investigations, the damage volume of these cases is at least 11 million euros. Around 150 people and the associated companies are currently suspected, mainly from the construction industry, personnel recruitment companies and cleaning services.
As soon as a bogus company is identified, it will be published on the Ministry of Finance’s website in the list of bogus companies. At the same time, audit measures will be taken that will lead to the company being deleted from the commercial register. Thanks to changes in the recently passed Anti-Fraud Act, which comes into force on September 1, 2024, the SOKO will be able to work even more efficiently in the future, the Ministry of Finance announced.
To the list of bogus companies on the website of the Ministry of Finance
