Austrian police arrest man who sold fake driver’s licenses and was also involved in multiple break-ins in the region. Leoben accomplice, a 38-year-old Hungarian, is believed to have obtained the completely fake documents from abroad. The two men recruited customers in the Leoben and Bruck-Mürzzuschlag areas, and the 30 Romanians and one Austrian who purchased the fakes were all reported. In many cases, the customers attempted to convert the fake foreign driver’s licenses into genuine Austrian documents.
In addition to the sale of fake documents, the 41-year-old man was also implicated in several break-ins. He is alleged to have broken into a house with a workshop, two construction containers in Leoben, and a gardening business in Lower Austria. The damage caused by these crimes amounts to around €11,000.
The investigation into the fake document trade and break-ins was conducted over a year by the Styrian Criminal Investigation Department, the LKA Styria/Niklasdorf branch, and officers from the Trofaiach and Erzherzog-Johann-Straße Leoben police stations. In September of last year, a search of the 41-year-old’s home was ordered by the Wels prosecutor’s office. Police officers seized fake documents and other evidence.
The 41-year-old man was apprehended in Leoben with the support of the Einsatzgruppe zur Bekämpfung der Straßenkriminalität (EGS). He admitted to everything related to the forgeries but only partially confessed to the break-ins. He was taken to Wels prison. The 38-year-old is still being sought and is believed to have fled abroad.
The sale of fake documents can have serious consequences, not only for those who purchase them but also for society as a whole. Fake documents can be used to facilitate identity theft, illegal immigration, and other criminal activities. The arrest of the 41-year-old man and the ongoing search for his accomplice is a significant victory in the fight against such illegal activities.
The arrest of the 41-year-old man and the ongoing search for his accomplice serves as a reminder of the importance of taking steps to protect oneself and others from the risks of document fraud. By being aware of the risks and taking proactive measures to verify documents and report suspected cases of fraud, individuals and businesses can help to prevent the spread of this illegal activity.
Austrian Police Arrest Man of the 41-year-old man from Leoben for selling fake driver’s licenses and his alleged involvement in multiple break-ins is a significant victory in the fight against document fraud and illegal activities. The investigation by the Styrian Criminal Investigation Department and the cooperation between different police stations demonstrate the importance of joint efforts in combating such criminal activities.