Investigation Unit combating social deception: 'Pursuing reality we stand'
In the heart of Austria, the Solbe task force in Lower Austria has been making significant strides in combating social benefit fraud. Led by Josef "Pepi" Dötzl, the task force operates as a coordinator between professionals, working tirelessly to ensure that public resources are protected.
The Solbe task force began as a one-man operation led by Dötzl, who has been active at the State Criminal Office since 1991 and has always been responsible for fraud offenses. Over the years, the task force has grown and evolved, now consisting of a dedicated team of well-trained officers.
Their primary focus is on verifying the eligibility of claimants and recovering funds paid out in error or fraudulently claimed. This is achieved through a combination of data analysis, field investigations, and cross-agency cooperation. Stakeholders around the table in Lower Austria include AMS, PVA, ÖGK, SVS, the province of Lower Austria, AUVA, Finance, Financial Police, Foreign Police, the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs and Asylum, and Customs.
One of the most successful teams within the Solbe task force is the Korneuburg team, which has processed 122 cases and recovered a total of 1.5 million euros in damages since 2019. The team's success is a testament to their diligence and commitment to uncovering fraudulent activities.
A recent investigation by the Solbe team uncovered a case of social benefit fraud involving a Serbian citizen. Anomalies in her social benefits led to an investigation, which revealed that she was abroad for 258 days in 2019 and 364 days in 2024, despite claiming to be in Austria for only 30 days in 2019. The attempted damage, or the amount the state would have continued to pay the woman if the fraud had not been uncovered, is estimated to be 548,000 euros. The woman has been charged with social benefit fraud and has received 87,732 euros unlawfully from the state.
The Solbe task force's efforts have been instrumental in saving substantial public resources by identifying fraudulent beneficiaries and reclaiming improperly paid benefits. Since its establishment, the task force has recovered over 30 million euros in social welfare fraud in Lower Austria.
The task force's head, Josef "Pepi" Dötzl, emphasises that the top priority for his team is to find the truth rather than the culprit. Adolf Großler, the provincial coordinator, manages a hotline to support colleagues on the ground. Kirsten Zehetgruber is responsible for special investigations, such as when investigations extend to other (federal) provinces.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) has praised the Solbe task force, stating that it has been successful in its operations. The task force's operations have even extended to raids on Austria's construction sites, ensuring that no social benefit fraud goes unnoticed. With 51 fraud forms currently distinguished in the field of social benefit fraud, the Solbe task force in Lower Austria has a tight net in place to catch fraudsters.
In conclusion, the Solbe task force in Lower Austria is a vital force in the fight against social benefit fraud. Through their diligent work, they are ensuring that public resources are protected and that those who fraudulently claim social benefits are brought to justice.
The Solbe task force, operating in Lower Austria, has expanded its focus beyond social benefit fraud, also delving into the realm of general news and crime-and-justice. The task force, headed by Dötzl, has successfully conducted investigations that transcend the boundaries of specific provinces, such as the recent case of a Serbian citizen committing social benefit fraud.
The Solbe task force's success in combating social benefit fraud reaches far beyond Austria, as it saves substantial public resources and recovers millions of euros, thus making significant contributions to the crime-and-justice sector.
