German authorities evacuated a building where 18 Romanians were officially registered, following an inspection concerning social welfare fraud and exploitative rents

Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia inspected approximately 120 homes in several cities on Thursday, September 24, as part of an operation targeting exploitative rents and possible welfare fraud. In a dilapidated building in Duisburg, 18 Romanian citizens were officially registered, including a family with six children who were reportedly receiving child benefits, while the father was also receiving social assistance.

Inspectors found, however, that the family’s purported apartment was completely empty, with no furniture. Twelve people were found in the building, some of whom were not registered at the address. The property contained rotten food, defective appliances, dirt and a warning about the presence of rats. The owner, a Dutch citizen, could not be contacted.

Firefighters and construction experts determined that the building posed a major fire risk, prompting authorities to close it. Residents were given a few hours to leave, while those without alternatives were to be accommodated by the municipality.

The operation involved more than 100 employees and targeted Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Hagen, Krefeld and Velbert. German authorities are preparing stricter inspections and measures to identify welfare fraud.