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Austria’s Fight Against Fraud: Innovative Methods and Technologies

Despite its open borders, Austria’s customs administration remains vigilant in its efforts to protect the country’s economy and population. As a tax authority, Austria’s customs department plays a crucial role in collecting duties, taxes, and monitoring restrictions on goods.

Fighting Smuggling: A Multi-Faceted Approach

Austria’s customs investigation teams (ZOFA) operate across nine offices, with a primary focus on combating smuggling and enforcing the Austrian Code of Fiscal Offences. Investigations target cigarette smuggling, both domestically and internationally, requiring close cooperation with European Union member states and agencies like OLAF.

• Advanced IT technology is used to tackle fraud in all its forms online.
• The team is equipped to secure evidence, restore deleted data, conduct market observation, and identify perpetrators.

Operational Customs Supervision: A Proactive Approach

With thousands of vehicles passing through Austria daily, the customs administration employs a mobile surveillance strategy to monitor goods and people moving across borders. Trained staff wear recognizable uniforms and sometimes carry weapons, conducting risk analyses and profiling to identify potential threats.

• Mobile surveillance is used to monitor goods and people crossing borders.
• Staff conduct risk analyses and profiling to identify potential threats.

Audits: Ensuring Fair Competition and Revenue

Austria’s auditors ensure uniform taxation and guarantee state revenue by reviewing accounting documents for compliance with legal standards and economic transactions. This helps maintain fair competition and strengthens Austria as a business hub.

• Auditors review accounting documents for compliance with legal standards.
• The goal is to maintain fair competition and strengthen Austria’s economy.

Mobile X-Ray Vehicles: A Game-Changer in Smuggling Detection

To combat smuggling, Austria has deployed two mobile truck/container scanners and an X-ray vehicle. These vehicles enable swift and efficient checks of luggage, spare tires, air and postal items up to 100x100cm in size. The X-ray technology has led to numerous successes, including the detection of drugs and cigarettes hidden in unusual locations.

• Mobile X-ray vehicles enable swift and efficient checks of goods.
• The technology has detected drugs and cigarettes hidden in unusual locations.

Sniffer Dogs: Trustworthy Companions in the Fight Against Fraud

Austria’s customs administration has been utilizing sniffer dogs for decades, with some trained as guard dogs, drug detection dogs, or even avalanche search dogs. These four-legged companions are used during checks and have played a crucial role in detecting illicit goods.

• Sniffer dogs are used to detect illicit goods.
• They have played a crucial role in the fight against fraud.

The innovative methods and technologies employed by Austria’s customs administration demonstrate the country’s commitment to combating fraud and protecting its economy and population.