Tax police uncover alleged illegal beauty studio in Vienna

ORF reported that Austria’s Financial Police uncovered an alleged illegal beauty studio in Vienna, where a 27-year-old woman is suspected of providing beauty treatments without the required medical authorisation since 2025, the Finance Ministry said Friday.

The woman allegedly earned about 1,200 euros a week. She has been reported for practising medicine without authorisation and is also suspected of fraudulently receiving social benefits.

Following an anonymous tip, the Financial Police, a unit of the Office for Combating Fraud, carried out an inspection at an apartment in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district at the beginning of September. The woman allegedly offered and performed cosmetic and medical treatments there, including injections of Botox, hyaluronic acid and so-called fat-dissolving injections.

When officers arrived, the 27-year-old woman from the Russian Federation opened the door. Two customers were inside receiving lip treatments.

Officers found Botox products, hyaluronic acid injections, products for fat-reduction treatments and a treatment bed. The woman reportedly said she had ordered the products online. Investigators also found indications that treatments may have been performed on minors.

The Office for Combating Fraud is also filing a complaint over suspected social-benefits fraud because the woman allegedly received emergency assistance unlawfully while carrying out the treatments.