Major Black Market Construction Bust: 100 Officers in Chemnitz Raids
Customs officers, acting on behalf of the Chemnitz Public Prosecutor's Office, are conducting searches across Chemnitz and the Erzgebirgskreis region. Around 100 officers are involved, targeting nine locations. The operation is part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion and social security contribution avoidance, with three individuals, aged 30, 35, and 50, under suspicion.
Authorities allege that the suspects have been employing unregistered workers for black market construction work since 2020. They are part of a larger network of eleven individuals running construction and service companies. Two arrests have already been made within this network. The searches, which are also taking place in the Czech Republic, have resulted in the seizure of extensive evidence, including computers and smartphones.
The suspects are accused of falsely claiming to be mediating the deployment of foreign workers to conceal their black market activities. They are said to have performed construction services using unregistered employees, defrauding social security contributions and tax to the tune of around €3 million. Two other suspects, aged 32 and 60, are being investigated for aiding and abetting these offenses.
The ongoing operation is part of a wider investigation into black market work and tax evasion. The damage caused by these activities is estimated at around €3 million. Further details are not yet available, as the measures are still in progress.
