Massive St. Nicholas Eve raids expose illegal labor and wage fraud in Germany
A large-scale inspection on St. Nicholas Eve targeted illegal employment and black work in North Rhine-Westphalia. Authorities from Krefeld’s main customs office, police, and public order services carried out unannounced checks across cafes, shisha bars, and other venues. The operation aimed to uncover wage fraud, tax offences, and links to organised crime.
The raids took place in Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, Viersen, and Rhein-Kreis Neuss. Teams focused on 111 people, questioning them about employment records, wages, and legal compliance. Of these, 29 cases showed early signs of irregularities, now under review by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) investigators.
The inspections resulted in 29 ongoing investigations and multiple arrests. Violations ranged from wage theft to immigration offences, with further legal steps expected. Customs officials will now examine the findings to determine potential penalties or prosecutions.
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