Fraud on social security! Asylum seekers fraudulently obtained a large sum of money.
Nearly two thousand asylum seekers caused damages exceeding seven million euros due to fraud in social assistance in Austria between 2020 and 2024, according to official figures. These revelations have sparked sharp criticism from the FPÖ (Austrian Freedom Party).
This data emerged from a parliamentary investigation presented by Harald Schuh, a member of the National Council of the Austrian Freedom Party, to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner of the Austrian People's Party. The response clarifies the extent of the abuse of the social welfare system concerning asylum seekers.
According to the report, a total of 1,979 asylum seekers were linked to confirmed cases of fraud in social assistance during that period. Notably, 480 cases belong to Afghan citizens, which is about a quarter of all recorded cases.
The FPÖ party believes that these figures reveal serious gaps in the social control mechanisms within the asylum procedures. The party demands stricter oversight, systematic investigations, and decisive measures to prevent the abuse of the social welfare system.
In light of not receiving an answer regarding the larger group of asylum seekers permanently integrated into the Austrian social welfare system, Harald Schuch submitted an additional parliamentary inquiry. He emphasized that full transparency is necessary to assess the true magnitude of the problem.
A politician from the FPÖ party expressed his doubts about the government's statements regarding the decrease in the number of asylum seekers. He criticized what he described as the growing gap between official rhetoric and citizens' perceptions, arguing that illegal entry and declining deportation rates clearly affect urban life and security across Austria.