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Austria helps bust counterfeit gang

Austrian police have helped bust an international counterfeiting ring and arrested two men who had €50,000 worth of fake bills hidden in their car door, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) confirmed.

Published: 20 February 2015 13:02 CET
Austria helps bust counterfeit gang
Counterfeit euro notes. Photo: BK

Police stopped a vehicle driven by the two suspects, aged 29 and 35, in the town of Poysdorf in Lower Austria, where they found the counterfeit money hidden behind the fabric of the car door, Austrian national broadcaster ORF reported.

The BK said Austrian authorities had been on the trail of the counterfeiting ring for several months, and believed the money was intended for use within Austria.

In cooperation with German authorities, the 38-year-old gang leader and an accomplice were arrested in the German city of Hamburg.

Police also found the counterfeiters' workshop including printer, paper and newly-printed counterfeit bills.

Three of the four suspects are from Serbia, and the fourth is Romanian.

Austrian police said the investigation into the ring is continuing, but could not confirm the quality of the fake bills or say how many of them are already in circulation.

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CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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