Customs search at Gamescom - Priority on seized documents
The world's largest computer game fair, Gamescom, held in Cologne, has been the subject of a major raid by the Zoll. The investigation, focused on black work, social security fraud, and bogus self-employment within the security industry, was carried out on the opening day of the event.
According to the Cologne main customs office, nearly 150 employees from over 40 security companies were checked during the raid. Indications of improper social security registration were found in nearly 50 cases, with initial indications of 12 cases of social security fraud at Gamescom.
The employees in question were primarily responsible for access control at the fair. Some employees, it was found, did not know their employers by their full names, and three employers did not pay the minimum wage as required.
The Gamescom computer game fair in Cologne, known for attracting a vast audience, was initially opened on Wednesday for the trade public. From Thursday, the general public was invited for four days at the event. The search results do not provide the names of the seven companies investigated by customs officers in Bonn or specify where these investigations were conducted.
The Zoll secured all entrances with nearly 60 enforcement agents on the opening day of Gamescom. The checks were not limited to the fairgrounds, as they were also conducted in several refugee and homeless shelters, shops, and the university campus in the city of Bonn.
In a shocking revelation, one case involved a minor being employed as a steward at the Gamescom computer game fair. The complex subcontractor structures in the security industry are contributing to this issue, making it difficult to trace the employers and ensure proper working conditions and legal compliance.
The Gamescom computer game fair, despite the recent findings, remains a significant event in the global gaming industry, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The Zoll's efforts to combat black work and ensure fair employment practices are commendable and are expected to continue in the future.
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