The prosecutor's office in Feldkirch stated on Tuesday that several individuals are under investigation for alleged serious fraud, involving amounts believed to not exceed 10 million euros (approximately 10.99 million dollars). Siemens has expressed that they are cooperating with the investigative authorities, based on information provided to the prosecution authorities during the company's ongoing compliance investigation process.
Siemens is willing to provide the necessary information, cooperate, and take action to assist the authorities in understanding the case. Additionally, the company has explicitly stated it will not comment on the ongoing investigation.
Prosecutors in Austria have stated that, in the investigation of alleged serious fraud, five individuals have been arrested by the authorities, who also searched the residences of these individuals. As the investigation is currently underway, legal procedures typically require the confidentiality of the investigation to be maintained, and the prosecutors have refused to confirm the names of the companies or individuals involved.
The German newspaper, Die Welt, reported on Tuesday that the alleged fraud involves a "criminal system" where suspects use forged documents to gain personal benefits. This criminal behavior may involve several conspirators who meticulously planned and executed their scheme to achieve illegal gains.
The allegations involve Siemens' Smart Infrastructure division, which used inflated invoices and misrepresented costs to gain undue economic benefits while providing construction technology to a public health operator in Vorarlberg, Austria.
Vorarlberger KHBG is an operating company responsible for managing and operating medical or health service facilities, and believes itself to be one of the companies affected by the fraud. Supervisory Board Chairwoman Martina Rüscher stated that the company may have been overcharged multiple times over a long period, leading to significant financial losses. The company, which operates five hospitals in Vorarlberg, is considering seeking compensation from Siemens and reviewing its entire internal accounting system to determine if there are other improper payments or losses.
