Uncovered undercover operations in the hairdressing and cosmetics industry: A regional investigation revealing collaboration between a barbershop and nail care services, with a focus on the illegal trade of pig furs
In a recent inspection, the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt discovered potential violations in several cases within the hairdressing and cosmetology industry across the regions of Schweinfurt, Würzburg, Bamberg, Aschaffenburg, and large parts of Upper Franconia.
The inspection, which took place in April 2025, was a special effort aimed at combating undeclared work and illegal employment. A total of 90 officials from the Financial Control Schwarzarbeit (FKS) were involved in the operation, and they inspected 79 businesses, surveyed 166 individuals, and initiated 17 investigations on-site.
The investigation revealed indications of possible violations in a total of 42 cases. In eight cases, there are suspicions of non-payment of the statutory minimum wage of 12.82 euros. Additionally, there is a suspicion of illegal employment of foreign workers in eight cases.
Furthermore, there are indications of an unlawful receipt of state social benefits in one case, and there is a concrete suspicion of withholding and misappropriation of wages in nine cases. Numerous deficiencies regarding the mandatory notification and recording obligations in the businesses were also found.
The customs officers emphasised that these inspections are an important instrument for reducing the social acceptance of undeclared work and illegal employment. The investigations into these suspected cases are being conducted by the respective local authorities, often involving the Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts) such as the Handwerkskammer für Oberfranken.
The Main Customs Office Schweinfurt conducts these inspections regularly, and they are risk-oriented, with both spot checks and complete inspections of all employees of an employer. The customs office's inspections are part of an effort to maintain a high number of preventive inspections in certain sectors.
For further questions, contact the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt Press Office at Tel.: 09721/6464-1030, E-Mail: [email protected], or visit their website at www.zoll.de. The information provided in this article is original content from the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt, transmitted via news aktuell.
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