Value: €1.5 million

Gold treasure seized in safe deposit boxes in Vienna

Administrative assistance from the WKStA for the Liechtenstein public prosecutor's office in a Vienna depot: 200 gold bars were seized in two safe deposit boxes and a businessman is being investigated for fraud.

An investigation is currently keeping the Liechtenstein authorities busy and is also making its way through Austria. An entrepreneur with excellent connections in this country has been in the sights of the Principality's judiciary for many months: "We confirm that preliminary investigations are being conducted on suspicion of serious commercial fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent crida, money laundering and criminal association," a spokesperson for the Liechtenstein public prosecutor's office told the "Krone" newspaper.

Porsche, paintings and watches also seized
According to reports, the investment entrepreneur is accused of, among other things, wedging investors for start-ups but using the money to "plug holes" - the presumption of innocence applies. Because a loss in the double-digit millions is in the offing, the suspect's Liechtenstein accounts were frozen and seven luxury Porsche cars, paintings and expensive wristwatches were seized. Last year - as confirmed by the WKStA - a gold depot in Vienna was also searched.

According to the files, the contents of two safes were seized - and of those deposits that were named after the suspect and his wife, who also worked in Vienna.

No charges have yet been brought in the "complex case"
A veritable treasure trove of gold was seized with a total of 200 gold bars of 100 grams each - the current value amounts to around 1.5 million euros: "The only inventory affected by the seizure is that of the customers against whom the order at the time was directed," says the depository, which rents out safe deposit boxes and safes. This can be clearly distinguished from the inventory of other customers.

According to the Liechtenstein authorities, no charges have yet been brought in this "complex case". The "Krone" has learned that there are victims in Austria who were deceived by the alleged fraudster and are now worried about losing a lot of money.