Investigators seize new record €143.5 million from criminals

A record 143,567,295 euros were seized from criminals last year, the Public Prosecutor announced on Thursday. According to the prosecutor, this large amount seized shows that crime does not pay. The largest part of all crime committed is aimed at making money. By taking this money away, the authorities are hitting criminals where it hurts most - their wallets, according to the Prosecutor. "Seasoned criminals calculate a possible prison sentence as if it is an occupational hazard. By taking their wealth away, criminals lose their status in the criminal environment and lose their investment budget to take on new crime adventures" According to the Prosecutor, seizing money from criminals also helps restore the sense of justice in society. "It's good when people see that the dubious expensive car is taken away from vague types. We don't want honest businesses going bankrupt because criminal enterprises ruin the market by distorting the competition." The seized money first and foremost go towards compensating crime victims. Only when it comes to crimes with no victims, such as in drug or corruption cases, the criminal money goes to the treasury. Seized criminal money in 2014 amounted to nearly 136 million euros, nearly 90 million was seized in 2013 and nearly 50 million in 2012.