Fraud at Waldviertler Werkstätten: Former employee allegedly misappropriated 800,000 euros
A former commercial employee of the Schrems-based company allegedly diverted approximately 800,000 euros to personal accounts. According to media reports, he is being held in pre-trial custody.
Suspected former employee in pre-trial custody following alleged fraud worth millions
A former commercial employee of Waldviertler Werkstätten allegedly withdrew approximately 800,000 euros from the Lower Austrian shoe, bag and furniture manufacturer. According to reports in the Kleine Zeitung, the suspect was arrested at the end of October and has been in pre-trial custody since then.
According to a report in the Kurier, which the company confirmed to the APA, the man allegedly intercepted refunds from cancelled online orders. The funds that a payment service provider had transferred back to the company were then redirected to personal accounts—disguised as regular customer refunds.
Sales manager Hans Schwar confirmed on request that smaller amounts had been diverted over an extended period, "hidden and barely noticeable". Waldviertler Werkstätten filed a report on 15 September; the employee's dismissal followed on 5 October. The responsible Krems public prosecutor's office was initially unavailable for comment.
Source: Kleine Zeitung