Former Dallmayr IT Chief Defrauds Company of Millions Through Fake Invoices
Munich, February 25 – Djordje N. (58), the former head of security systems at the renowned Munich delicatessen company Dallmayr, stands accused of defrauding his employer of approximately 2.3 million euros over several years through a scheme involving fake invoices. The trial, which began recently, also involves two alleged accomplices who reportedly shared the illicit gains.
A Scheme Uncovered After Years
Djordje N. admitted in court to creating fictitious invoices since 2012. The fraud went undetected for four years, accumulating a total loss of around 2.3 million euros for Dallmayr. The elaborate scheme only came to light following an anonymous tip-off. “I was in financial distress and looking for ways to enrich myself,” N. stated, expressing deep remorse and taking full responsibility for his actions.
He then approached two former business partners, now co-defendants, with the proposal of this illegal invoicing business. “They reacted positively,” Djordje N. confirmed, with both accomplices also confessing to their involvement. In total, N. issued 80 fake invoices to these “external service providers,” some multiple times a month, without being detected by Dallmayr.
Lack of Oversight Facilitated the Fraud
During the court proceedings, Djordje N. explained his method: “As a department head, I was allowed to approve invoices myself.” Judge Markus Födisch remarked on the apparent lack of sophistication in the fraud, noting that “the purposes of use could not have been correct.” N. responded by shrugging his shoulders, stating, “Nobody controlled me.” The judge concluded, “It was made quite easy for you.”
Accomplices and Financial Distribution
According to the indictment, the former IT boss personally enriched himself by approximately 900,000 euros. His accomplice, Bernd S. (57), reportedly gained 1.3 million euros, admitting, “I squandered the money and was naive.” Uwe N. (65) is required to repay 150,000 euros and also expressed his “sincere apologies.”
Curiously, the men claimed that the money was “amicably shared” and even taxed. “It was a stupidity. You just shouldn’t do something like that,” Djordje N. reflected. “There wasn’t a day I didn’t have to think about it. And not a night when no tears flowed.”
Trial Delays and Upcoming Verdict
The public prosecutor’s office filed charges in July 2018, but the trial was significantly delayed. Court spokeswoman Bettina Kaestner explained that the chamber was preoccupied with other priority detention cases, particularly the Wirecard proceedings, and that only detention cases could be heard during the Corona years due to restrictions. The defendants were never held in pre-trial detention, and the court considers the delay “unproblematic” as the statute of limitations for their crimes has not yet expired.
The verdict in this high-profile case is expected on March 24, with the trio facing potential imprisonment.
