A significant police operation took place at the “Ukrainian House” in the Winterhude district of Hamburg, Germany. Law enforcement officials executed the raid as part of an investigation into possible large-scale fraud related to child benefit payments (Kindergeld). According to the police and the Federal Employment Agency of Germany, around 370 suspected cases are under scrutiny.
Approximately 200 police officers participated in the operation, which involved securing entrances and exits to the complex while checking the documents of residents. A total of about 150 cases were reviewed, focusing particularly on the authenticity of documents, verification of citizenship, and the actual residence of parents and children.
The investigation aims to ascertain whether children actually reside at the specified addresses and whether the payments were assigned lawfully.
German media report that authorities suspect organized criminal groups may be linked to potential violations, allegedly using forged documents to illegally obtain social benefits in both Germany and Poland.
The “Ukrainian House” is the largest refugee shelter in Hamburg, accommodating nearly 1,500 individuals. It has previously attracted media attention due to police inspections and complaints about living conditions, as noted by DW.
However, the “Ukrainian House” stated on its Facebook page that it is not the subject of the police investigation and is not involved in the inquiry. They clarified that the check pertained to a refugee housing facility located within the same premises or complex, but it is a separate entity managed by the organization Fördern & Wohnen.
Context
- According to Eurostat, as of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians were under temporary protection in European Union countries, with the largest numbers in Germany (1.27 million), Poland (961,000), and the Czech Republic (380,000). Most of them are women and children.
