Donation Fraud After Graz Rampage: Woman Confessed

The alleged donation fraudster in connection with the rampage at a school in Graz is also suspected of extensive social fraud. This was announced by the state police directorate on Monday. The woman was arrested on Friday in southern Styria. The 33-year-old from the Leibnitz district had unlawfully received around 23,000 euros. According to the police, further investigations are ongoing. Victims of the donation fraud can report to any police station.

Following a tip-off received by the Federal Criminal Police Office, investigators began inquiries on September 19. It emerged that the woman had allegedly launched a fundraising appeal on an international online crowdfunding platform on June 11, 2025 - one day after the rampage. She falsely presented herself as a bereaved relative and in this way raised more than 37,000 euros in donations. However, only a small portion of this is believed to have been passed on to affected victim families.

Submit Applications for Refund

The detectives checked the suspect's bank accounts, and the donation amounts found there were secured by order of the Graz public prosecutor's office. Affected or deceived individuals can file a report at any police station, referring to these investigations. Additionally, a donation refund can be requested via the application form on the "GoFundMe" platform. The platform has assured close cooperation with the investigative authorities in the clarification work.

The 33-year-old is also alleged to have unlawfully received social benefits amounting to around 23,000 euros. She partially used forged admission confirmations to obtain nursing scholarships from the AMS. However, she never started the corresponding training. The investigations were able to prevent a forthcoming payout of another 14,000 euros in time.

Donation Fraud After Graz Rampage: Confession After Initial Denial

The suspect initially denied all allegations during her first interrogation. In light of the evidence, she has now confessed: The woman admitted to having given the impression during the fundraising appeal that she was a relative of the rampage. However, she claimed to have used only part of the funds for her own purposes, intending to pass everything else on to affected families. She was taken to the Graz-Jakomini prison. Investigations into possible accomplices and further potential crimes are ongoing.

(APA/Red)

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