A 44-year-old man, who pretended to be a police officer to steal valuables and cash from two victims, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, with 14 months suspended, on Tuesday in Eisenstadt. The man acted as the “collector” for a criminal organization, but in December, he withheld most of the loot from the group. After being threatened and fearing for his safety, he turned himself in to the police. In court, he pleaded guilty.

The defendant had acted as the “collector” twice. His accomplices had previously called the two victims, pretending to be police officers, and claimed there had been break-ins nearby. They told the victims that the police would temporarily take their cash and valuables for safekeeping. The 44-year-old then appeared at the victims’ homes, posing as a police officer and took the loot.

Damage totaling 40,000 and 64,500 Euros

In November 2024, he took 40,000 Euros in cash from an elderly woman in Muckendorf, Lower Austria. In December, he went to Bad Reichenhall, Germany, where he took valuables and cash worth a total of 64,500 Euros from a man. However, he kept most of the stolen goods for himself, passing only a small portion on to his accomplices. As a result, he was threatened by the group. Fearing for his life, the 44-year-old finally turned himself in to the police.

The defendant stated in court that he had been introduced to the criminal organization through an acquaintance. He could not explain why he participated. “Nothing excuses what I did,” he said. After surrendering, he made a full confession, providing the police with names, phone numbers, and other details, and even returned part of the stolen goods.

The lay judges found the fake police officer guilty of serious fraud and involvement in a criminal organization. The verdict is not yet final. The public prosecutor’s office did not provide a statement.