Trial over million-dollar fraud with defective corona masks collapsed

Trial over million-dollar fraud with defective corona masks collapsed

The Schwerin regional court had prepared for a highly explosive trial for serious fraud offenses during the corona pandemic, but the first attempt went completely differently than hoped. As n-tv.de reports, the trial against three defendants who are said to have sold no longer durable corona masks and protective equipment in 2020 collapsed. Originally scheduled to conclude in the summer of 2025, the process must now be restarted due to the impending retirement of a judge. From the perspective of the public prosecutor, the damage caused by the alleged fraud is hard to believe: it amounts to almost 20 million euros.

Included are Dr. Heiko H. (56), Shahid H. (36) and Tu Trang L. (56) – the latter has Vietnamese citizenship and is managing director of Itul GmbH in Dresden. The list of allegations is long and includes not only poor product offerings, but also forgery of documents and funding fraud. It was discovered that the masks that were supposed to block 94% of microorganisms actually allowed up to 83% to pass through. A significant violation of EU regulations and the Medical Devices Act, which had not only legal but also health consequences.

Fateful decisions

The defendants face sentences of between one and ten years if the accusation of gang fraud is confirmed. The sales of defective protective equipment in the period from the end of March to May 2020 were recorded at an amount of over 34 million euros. Only through strict investigations by the public prosecutor's office, which lasted over three years, was this case finally brought to court. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, there have been numerous motions and delays throughout the process, creating a tense situation for everyone involved.

The masks, such as the “Mouth and Nose Mask Nano Silver 94” in question, were not only poorly marked, they also posed a health risk and even a life-threatening risk to the users. These are circumstances that underline the seriousness of the offense and make it all the more urgent that the case is dealt with quickly in order to prevent potential misuse in the future.

Current developments in the fight against fraud

The situation in Schwerin is part of a broader development in Germany, which the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has addressed in its recent reports. There was a decrease in fraud crime of 1.5 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. However, the number of unreported cases remains high, as only around 20 percent of fraud crimes are reported. There were significant double-digit declines in goods and trade credit fraud in particular.

It is always recommended for the population to be particularly vigilant and exercise caution when handing over money and dealings that sound too good to be true. Whether the developments in Schwerin offer an opportunity to learn lessons for the future remains to be seen.

The next meeting for the trial is scheduled for January 29, 2026, and the defendants have announced that they will then respond to the allegations.