Workers from Brazil
Human Trafficking at a Tyrolean Hotel: The End of “Samba”
A massive case of suspected illegal employment, extending to allegations of human trafficking, was uncovered through a coordinated operation by the financial police and the Tyrolean law enforcement authorities. The investigation was triggered by an anonymous tip regarding the unauthorized employment of several Brazilian nationals at a hotel in the Landeck district.
The allegations are serious—after the tip, the hotelier found himself in serious trouble before receiving a visit from the Financial Police’s Anti-Fraud Division and the police. And it was no small matter—a comprehensive employment inspection was carried out.
Hidden in the laundry room and restroom
This caused quite a stir at the hotel itself. Right at the start of the inspection, two people reportedly tried to evade the officers by hiding in a restroom and a washroom. “In total, the officers found eight workers who were not registered with social security,” investigators stated.
All eight individuals were arrested for illegal residence in the country.
Die Ermittler
Since all of the individuals were Brazilian nationals, an intensive investigation was immediately initiated with the involvement of the PUMA unit—the immigration and border police unit of the Tyrol State Police Directorate. “A review of the travel documents and the mandatory permits required under the Foreign Workers Act revealed that these documents were entirely missing. Consequently, the eight individuals were arrested for illegal residence in the federal territory,” the investigators added.
During the inspection, only one employee was found to be properly registered with social security. “In total, the hotel operator had actually registered only four employees for his business,” it was reported.
Workers Recruited and Exploited
The hotelier found himself in an increasingly difficult position to explain himself—the noose was tightening. Given the overall circumstances, the State Criminal Police Office’s Human Trafficking Investigation Unit was ultimately brought in. “There was an urgent initial suspicion that the workers may have been specifically exploited in the course of their illegal employment.”
During questioning, however, they broke their silence and admitted that they had been specifically recruited in Brazil to work in Tyrol.
Die Ermittler
The Brazilians had initially claimed that they were staying at the hotel solely as vacationers. “During extensive interrogations, however, they broke their silence and admitted that they had been specifically recruited in Brazil to work in Tyrol and had been illegally employed by the hotel operator,” the investigators explained.
This has not only reinforced the suspicion of commercial illegal employment but also the serious suspicion that the Brazilians have become victims of human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation.
House search, additional arrest
During a court-authorized search of the premises, various data storage devices were seized as evidence. Additionally, another Brazilian was found working in the hotel kitchen during this inspection. “He, too, lacked both a permit under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act and registration with social security,” officials stated.
Penalties and Criminal Consequences
The Tyrolean hotelier now faces severe penalties andcriminal consequences. Charges will be filed under the Foreign Workers Act, the General Social Security Act, and the Working Hours Act. In total, the employer faces fines amounting to approximately 40,000 euros. Additionally, an investigation is underway regarding suspected underpayment.
But that’s not all: an investigation is also underway into how the workers were paid. Corresponding complaints and inspection reports will be filed with the tax office, the Financial Criminal Authority, and the Austrian Health Insurance Fund.
In addition, reports will be filed with the Innsbruck Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding suspected human trafficking and organized illegal employment under the Criminal Code, as well as the exploitation of a foreign national under the Aliens Act.
This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.
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