Langenfeld crackdown uncovers 12 sham residences and illegal housing schemes

A joint operation in Langenfeld has exposed fraudulent residency schemes and illegal housing practices. Authorities uncovered 12 sham residences registered to Eastern European EU citizens, all set to be deregistered. The investigation also revealed suspicions of fictitious paternity claims, illegal construction, and undeclared work.

The operation was part of the GeKo Rhein Wupper initiative, which includes 11 cities and municipalities working together since 2018. These are Burscheid, Haan, Leichlingen, Leverkusen, Odenthal, Radevormwald, Remscheid, Solingen, Wermelskirchen, Wuppertal, and Langenfeld. The group focuses on tackling organised crime, social welfare fraud, smuggling, problem properties, and money laundering.

In Langenfeld, officials identified a registration violation that led to the deregistration of a property in Richrath. Another address raised suspicions of sham registrations used to bypass immigration rules. A third location was flagged for unauthorised changes in property use and breaches of the Housing Strengthening Act. The city is also monitoring unusual investment trends, where individuals purchase large properties that do not match their reported income. Additionally, the legal status of seven people remains unclear, with possible links to undeclared employment.

The findings highlight ongoing efforts to combat fraud and illegal housing activities in the region. Authorities will deregister the 12 sham residences and continue investigating the seven individuals with uncertain legal status. The GeKo Rhein Wupper initiative remains active in strengthening cross-agency cooperation against crime.