Swiss Federal Railways executive accused of 9 million CHF fraud

A former department head at Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is accused of embezzling approximately 9 million Swiss francs over a 17-year period. The former head of procurement logistics allegedly used fake invoices for services never rendered to funnel money through various companies into his private assets.

Investigators claim the funds were used to finance a luxury lifestyle, including the purchase of a home in Florida, which was later sold for 400,000 USD, and a residence in the Canton of Solothurn. Authorities also seized 13 vehicles, including a Lamborghini Gallardo, two Porsches, and a Ford Mustang Shelby, as well as 28 weapons, including sniper rifles and army assault rifles.

The scheme went undetected for nearly two decades because the individual held significant signing authority and the SBB accounting department reportedly only verified formal details such as supplier names and order numbers rather than conducting in-depth audits. The fraud was uncovered following a tip from a former colleague. While the total amount is estimated at 9 million CHF, some actions may be subject to the 15-year statute of limitations, potentially reducing the prosecutable damage to approximately 5 million CHF. The suspect faces up to 15 years in prison.