2.7 million fraud at the AVS compensation fund: how to protect yourself
Over 80 fake beneficiaries have fraudulently received Covid loss of earnings benefits. The case was revealed by the newspaper "24 heures" and the Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation.
Contesto
The Canton of Ticino has recently been shaken by a disturbing news: a 2.7 million Swiss francs fraud against the cantonal AVS compensation fund. The scam, which took place between 2020 and 2022, saw over 80 fake beneficiaries fraudulently receive Covid loss of earnings (IPG) benefits. The case was revealed by the newspaper "24 heures" and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Vaud has confirmed the information, launching an investigation for fraud. The fraud was orchestrated by a trio of Portuguese citizens, with the complicity of two employees of the Vevey compensation fund. The compensation fund, suspicious of some irregularities, filed a complaint in June 2022. This is a serious case that highlights the need for greater vigilance and preventive measures to protect public funds. How does the AVS compensation fund work? The AVS compensation fund is an institution that manages the contributions and benefits of the Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AVS) in Switzerland. AVS is a mandatory social insurance that provides a pension to Swiss citizens and cross-border workers who have reached retirement age or who are in certain situations of need. The compensation fund is responsible for collecting contributions from employers and employees, as well as paying the benefits provided by AVS. The Covid loss of earnings (IPG) benefits During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Swiss government introduced IPG benefits to support workers who experienced a significant reduction in their income due to the health crisis. These benefits were paid by the AVS compensation fund and aimed to provide temporary financial support to those who suffered a drop in their earnings due to virus containment measures. The fraud and its consequences The fraud uncovered by the AVS compensation fund is an exam...
Dettagli operativi
The AVS compensation fund is a fundamental institution for the Swiss social security system. It manages the contributions and benefits of the Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AVS), which provides a pension to Swiss citizens and cross-border workers who have reached retirement age or who are in need. AVS is a mandatory social insurance, and the compensation fund is responsible for collecting contributions from employers and employees, as well as paying the benefits provided. AVS benefits AVS benefits include: - Old-age pension: Paid to Swiss citizens and cross-border workers who have reached retirement age (65 years for men and 64 years for women). The pension is calculated based on the contributions made during the working life. - Disability pension: Paid to people who, due to a disability, are no longer able to perform gainful employment. The amount of the pension depends on the degree of disability. - Survivors' pension: Paid to the family members of a deceased person who was entitled to an AVS pension. The amount of the pension depends on the number of dependent family members. - Supplementary benefits: Paid to AVS pension beneficiaries who have insufficient income to cover their basic needs. Supplementary benefits are paid by the cantons and are subject to certain conditions. AVS contributions AVS contributions are paid by employers and employees. Employers contribute a percentage of their employees' gross salary, while employees contribute a percentage of their gross salary. Contributions are calculated based on income brackets and are subject to an annual maximum. The Covid loss of earnings (IPG) benefits During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Swiss government introduced IPG benefits to support workers who experienced a significant reduction in their income due...
Punti chiave
The 2.7 million Swiss francs fraud at the AVS compensation fund is a worrying event that highlights the need for greater vigilance and preventive measures to protect public funds. As cross-border workers or Swiss citizens, it is important to be aware of your rights and duties regarding social insurance, and to report any suspicious activity to the competent authorities. To deepen your knowledge of social insurance and the benefits you are entitled to, we recommend using our salary calculator. This tool will help you better understand your salary and deductions, as well as plan your financial future. Additionally, you can consult our social insurance guide for a comprehensive overview of the different insurances and their benefits. Remember, prevention is key to protecting public funds and ensuring that social benefits reach those who truly need them. Together, we can contribute to creating a more fair and transparent system. Source: "24 heures", March 19, 2026.