The noose around the Signa construction of the Tyrolean real estate juggler René Benko is becoming increasingly tight. Now, in addition to Germany, there is also a criminally relevant suspicion in Austria for the first time.
The accusation probably concerns serious fraud, reports the Public Prosecution Service for Economic and Corruption (WKStA). The focus is on a Signa project company that was responsible for raising capital. The investigations are therefore not aimed at Benko himself.
An investigation team from the Public Prosecution Service and the special committee of the Federal Criminal Police were charged with the investigation.
According to the WKStA, “numerous advertisements” have recently been received in connection with Benko’s Signa construction. These are generally checked for the existence of a first criminal suspicion and processed on an ongoing basis – and the Public Prosecution Service now notes such a first suspicion in investments that have not been invested in the respective promised projects.
The amount of damage to the allegedly deceived investors is still under investigation. For tactical reasons, they do not want to provide any further information about the suspect for the time being; according to the first information they have a director in their sights.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
