Acceptance of Benefits | Bribery in Bonn

Whereas Bonn generated a gross domestic product of 11.3 billion euros in 2009, by 2012 this figure had already risen to 19.6 billion euros – with the trend continuing upwards. As a result, more residents of Bonn are able to pursue employment. In June 2013, the Federal Employment Agency recorded a total of 160,336 employees subject to social security contributions in the Federal City, marking a new peak for this indicator. Compared to June 2012, employment grew by 1.2 per cent, corresponding to 1,900 additional employees.

However, wherever many people work, there are also offenders. No company can protect itself one hundred per cent against this risk, but employees can be vetted. The detectives of Kurtz Investigations Bonn are pleased to assist you with advice and practical support, examine the background of your applicants and staff, and conduct investigations where suspicions arise – particularly in cases involving the acceptance of benefits. Contact us for a non-binding consultation: +49 228 2861 4084.

Case Example of Acceptance of Benefits in the Rhineland – Solved by the Detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Bonn

Even in the best-managed companies, it repeatedly occurs that employees obtain unlawful advantages for themselves – usually to the detriment of their employer, as the following case demonstrates:

Concession by the Employer ...

Mr Raffke (all names changed) had been branch manager of a building materials supplier for eleven years. The company operated 28 branches nationwide, with the supply of materials for carpentry, masonry and tiling businesses forming its core trade. For six months, Mr Raffke had been constructing a semi-detached house for his family and his parents. With the owner’s permission, he was allowed to purchase the required building materials at cost price. Unfortunately, the materials had only been procured, not yet installed. Mr Raffke was able to carry out some of the work himself, but for many tasks he had to commission tradespeople.

... Shamelessly Exploited by the Employee

One day, Mr Giermann, managing director of a joinery business that normally sourced many of its materials from Mr Raffke’s employer, approached Mr Raffke with the following proposal: Mr Raffke was to purchase several windows and doors – allegedly for his own semi-detached house – and then pass them on to Mr Giermann at cost price. In return, Mr Giermann’s tradespeople would install all windows and doors in Mr Raffke’s house free of charge. No sooner said than done. Initially, the owner of the building materials company was unaware of the arrangement, and Mr Raffke believed he had emerged unscathed. In this case, however, he rendered himself liable to prosecution for acceptance of benefits pursuant to Sections 299 et seq. of the German Criminal Code (bribery and corruption in commercial practice). Moreover, he caused considerable damage to his employer. Mr Giermann likewise committed a criminal offence through bribery. Fortunately, other employees at the branch had noticed discrepancies and passed this information on to Mr Raffke’s employer. Following the engagement of Kurtz Investigations Bonn, the perpetrators were ultimately convicted.

Our IHK-Certified Detectives from Bonn Are Your Experts in Case Resolution

If you suspect that your employee is acting disloyally towards you, or that someone is guilty of accepting benefits, corruption and/or bribery to your detriment or to the detriment of the general public, please contact the commercial investigators of Kurtz Detective Agency Bonn by e-mail at kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bonn.de or by telephone on +49 228 2861 4084 for a non-binding consultation. We will outline the available options for reviewing and securing evidence against the person under suspicion.