Police Uncover €4.6 Million Fluthilfe Fraud in Major Raid

German authorities investigate 136 suspects and conduct 18 property searches in connection with fraudulent applications for flood recovery funds.

Two women of German-Lebanese descent, aged 35 and 42, are identified as the main suspects in a scheme to fraudulently claim flood recovery funds following the 2021 disaster.
Investigators revealed that the suspects submitted false applications and facilitated others in filing fraudulent claims, taking up to 50% of the payouts as a 'fee.'
Police conducted coordinated raids on 18 properties across three German states, seizing documents, electronic devices, €14,000 in cash, and 200 grams of amphetamines.
Authorities report that €4.6 million of the €9 million in requested funds were already disbursed before the fraud was uncovered, with total damages expected to be in the millions.
Interior Minister Herbert Reul condemned the exploitation of the disaster, emphasizing the betrayal of flood victims and the misuse of resources meant for recovery efforts.