Enlarge image
A woman holding the hands of an old man (icon image)
Photo: Jens Kalaene / dpa
Many senior citizens are dependent on care services because they can no longer wash, dress or eat by themselves.
In Nuremberg, however, ten people between the ages of 71 and 90 only pretended to be in need of help.
They helped a nursing service to bill for services that it had not even provided.
The investigators have now issued ten penal orders against the patients.
You have to pay fines of 400 and 1800 euros, as the Nuremberg Public Prosecutor announced on Tuesday.
This had requested the penal orders.
The people are said to have simulated various diseases for the medical service of the Bavarian health insurance company - including severe dementia, stiff joints, a trembling hand or a walking disorder.
In truth, however, the patients are said to have been vigorous and healthy for their age.
Before the examination by the medical service, the nursing service is said to have explained to the elderly how they should behave.
In addition, aids such as walkers or bathtub aids were brought in especially for the test.
With the feigned need for care, the operators of the care service are said to have billed services from January 2014 to December 2017 without justification.
The nursing service is said to have paid the seniors commissions in return.
According to the Attorney General's Office, most of the accused made no statements to the investigators.
Three of them denied the allegations.
Charges were brought to the district court against the operators of the nursing service for 362 cases of billing fraud.
They are said to have collected more than 175,000 euros with the wrong statements.
On July 7th they have to answer in court, as "Nordbayern.de" reports.
kha/AFP