Berlin (dpa/bb) – Around 7 billion euros were paid out during the corona pandemic as aid for companies and the self-employed in Berlin by the responsible investment bank IBB. Nearly 430,000 applications had been approved, the Senate responded to a request from the AfD. An average of around 16,000 euros per application. Some businesses or self-employed individuals may also submit multiple applications.
By the end of October, €50 million (0.7% of the total) had been recovered from almost 8,200 applications because incorrect information was provided, the necessary requirements were not met or the applicants wanted to cheat. However, the trial procedure is still ongoing.
Since 2020, processing costs totaling 26.5 million euros have been paid to external audit firms that support IBB in the recovery of money. The total of these costs has not yet been determined.
According to the latest data, around 12,000 investigations into corona aid payment fraud have already been opened in Berlin. Another 7,700 cases are still being processed by the police. The IBB has filed criminal charges in hundreds of cases. The Senate had underlined that the decision was made in 2020 to provide quick and unbureaucratic help despite the known risk of abuse and fraud.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:221122-99-612218/2
