Police arrest suspect in 30 alleged fraud cases
Wednesday 14th October 2026 on 13:01 in
Austria
A 34-year-old man is suspected of committing 30 fraud offences, including repeatedly filling rental cars with fuel without paying, ORF reported on Wednesday. Police say the alleged offences caused losses of about 13,000 euros.
The case began with a report of fuel theft on 10 August. Officers from the Melk police station identified the man, who is from the St. Pölten district, as a suspect. Investigators believe the offences took place between 30 May and 8 October in the districts of Melk, St. Pölten, Krems, Gmünd and Waidhofen an der Thaya.
Police say he rented at least five cars and did not return them on time. He allegedly used the vehicles to fill up with fuel at least eight times without paying. Investigators also say he pretended to be in distress to obtain money from several people.
The man was arrested in Waidhofen an der Thaya on 8 October on the order of the St. Pölten public prosecutor’s office. Police said he admitted to the serious commercial fraud offences during questioning. He was taken to the correctional facility in St. Pölten.