# Nine Arrested in Austrian Illicit Work Crackdown October 20, 2026 at 11:05 AM > Authorities dismantled a criminal network involving 25 shell companies that caused 3.5 million euros in social security and labor damages. Authorities arrested nine individuals on Tuesday during a major coordinated operation targeting organized illicit work across **Austria**. Led by the **WKStA** and **Styrian State Criminal Police**, officials executed 18 house searches in **Styria**, Carinthia, Burgenland, and Vienna to dismantle a sophisticated criminal network. The investigation targets approximately 40 suspects accused of founding 25 shell companies for courier and transport services. These groups allegedly recruited destitute foreign nationals as straw men, some using false identities, to serve as managing directors while workers were registered with insufficient social security contributions. This crackdown addresses charges including professional serious fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, and social security evasion. By registering full-time employees with false monthly contribution bases at the **ÖGK**, the group caused an estimated 3.5 million euros in damages, highlighting a significant blow to organized labor exploitation. #AustriaLawEnforcement #OrganizedCrime #LaborExploitation #FraudInvestigation #WKStA ## Related news ## [WKStA Drops False Testimony Case Against Schmid]() September 28, 2026 at 01:10 PM