Processes – Freiburg im Breisgau – False corona test center: process for fraud involving millions – panorama

Freiburg (dpa / lsw) – A man is said to have collected around 5.7 million euros for the alleged operation of a corona test center in Freiburg – although the information was not correct at all. The 20-year-old has to answer to the city’s district court today for fraud. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians trusted the information provided by the man and transferred the sum last year for the period from March to June 2021.

According to the announcement, a bank then expressed suspicion of money laundering, after which the money was returned. In truth, the accused never operated a test center. Because of the age of the alleged fraudster, the juvenile court is hearing. According to a spokesman, a verdict could be announced as early as Monday.

It’s far from the only case of possible billing fraud at test centers. In Baden-Württemberg alone, the authorities are investigating dozens of suspected cases, and there are far more nationwide. Hearings are already taking place in court: in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, a lawsuit against operators of more than 70 test sites across Germany began in December. They are said to have defrauded the state of around 25 million euros by billing around one million citizen tests that are said to have never taken place.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220529-99-473140/2

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