Abuse of Social Benefits

The abuse of social welfare benefits increasingly presents municipalities and cantons with challenges that can scarcely be managed using in-house resources. Not every suspected case of social assistance fraud can be examined by the authorities’ own staff, which is why engaging the trained private investigators of the Kurtz Detective Agency Zurich and Switzerland is a highly efficient option. We are pleased to verify the circumstances of the suspected beneficiary on behalf of your authority: +41 44 5522 264.

Financial Support, Inheritances, Employment – Circumstances Commonly Concealed

Those who receive social assistance are, as a rule, not among Switzerland’s well-off residents — with a few brazen exceptions. Many recipients are in desperate yet often unsuccessful pursuit of employment; others, however, prefer to live comfortably at the expense of public institutions. When applying for welfare benefits, they fail to disclose their full assets or they transfer their belongings to a trusted third party shortly before filing the application. It is impossible for municipal and cantonal authorities to examine each individual claim in full detail, which is why they rely on the routine support of our private investigators in Switzerland.

Other beneficiaries engage in undeclared work, concealing their income to avoid reductions in their welfare benefits. Regardless of the specific situation, our Swiss private investigators determine the true circumstances in the households of benefit recipients: We conduct research into potential assets and perform surveillance to establish whether they are engaged in undeclared labour or receiving monetary support from third parties. We stand ready at all times to assist municipal and cantonal authorities discreetly. Please use our contact form to commission us or call us.

Flimsy Justifications for Extraordinary Allowances

The welfare contribution available to those in need covers minor purchases, yet occasionally a larger expense arises that overwhelms recipients — for example, when the cooker breaks down. If a family with children receives welfare assistance, the need to replace a broken cooker is obvious, and the social services authority will generally approve the cost upon request. However, some beneficiaries take advantage of this goodwill by submitting conspicuously frequent applications for special allowances.

Our Zurich-based commercial investigators get to the bottom of the matter. Does the applicant truly require this specific benefit, or are they simply using the money to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle? In addition to research and surveillance, inspection services for public authorities form part of the portfolio of our detective agency in Switzerland: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-schweiz.ch.

Unlawful Receipt of Social Welfare Has Consequences

Either the offenders are unaware that their actions are criminal, or they simply do not care. Anyone who conceals real circumstances or lies in order to obtain benefits unlawfully commits fraud under Art. 146 StGB. Moreover, by providing false information that results in the incorrect issuance of an official document, the recipient also commits the offence of forgery under Art. 152 StGB, since the approval notice constitutes an official document with the status of a certificate.

The legally trained investigators of our private investigation agency in Zurich and Switzerland identify the actual income and assets, follow up on indications of undeclared labour, and document the findings in court-ready written form. You can obtain further information on social inspections and social welfare investigations without obligation by calling +41 44 5522 264.