Wind farm fraudster Hendrik Holt at large – new fraud charges over €3.1 million
Convicted wind farm fraudster Hendrik Holt failed to return from a prison furlough on 25 August. The public prosecutor's office believes he has fled – possibly to Russia.
Convicted wind farm fraudster Holt disappears after prison furlough
Convicted wind farm fraudster Hendrik Holt (36) is at large. According to BILD, he failed to return on 25 August 2026 from an approved furlough to the Berlin open-prison facility. Public prosecutor Martin Schanz confirmed to BILD: "We now have evidence on the basis of which we must assume he has fled." The necessary manhunt measures have been initiated.
According to BILD's information, Holt is allegedly on the run together with his wife, a child and a toddler – though this has not been officially confirmed. Shortly after the manhunt was made public, he posted videos on his Instagram account that are said to have been recorded in Moscow. He wrote: "Greetings from Moscow – very nice here, the caviar is fantastic." When asked by BILD, he replied: "For now I'm staying in Moscow. Feel free to visit me there for a film shoot." Whether he is actually in Russia or deliberately trying to mislead the authorities remained unclear.
In parallel, the Osnabrück public prosecutor's office has received a new fraud complaint against Holt. It concerns €3.1 million in connection with the purchase of Rostock-Laage airport – a deal which, according to WELT research, Holt is said to have been involved in from the open prison. In July 2025, he is said to have appeared at a meeting between buyer and seller representatives in Berlin and given the impression of playing an important economic role behind the scenes. The allegation is that only a fraction of the agreed purchase price of €3.1 million was paid. Holt denies any involvement.
As recently as May, Holt had announced a fresh start to BILD. The man who once posed as a successful businessman with a Bentley, bespoke suits and a chauffeur stated: "I am now free, I have paid my debt and want to start again." About his network, he said: "That is real power. It's not like I'm just small Holt on my own." And further: "We are not starting anew. Essentially we are back."
The Osnabrück Regional Court had sentenced Holt in 2022 to seven years and six months imprisonment for organised and commercial fraud. His method: invented wind farm projects, forged lease agreements and forged signatures. On 17 April 2020, investigators arrested him at the Berlin luxury hotel Adlon.
Insolvency proceedings against him continue. According to insolvency administrator Dr Malte Köster, creditors are claiming more than €40 million. Holt himself saw things differently in an earlier BILD interview: "I have caused no damage."
Source: BILD