New revelations shake the Signa empire around René Benko: According to internal protocols, Manuel Pirolt, former CFO of the group and close confidant of Benko, is said to have misappropriated funds from the insurance company Signal Iduna and its subsidiary Hansa Invest. These funds were invested through so-called profit participation rights in specific construction projects amounting to dozens of millions of euros - but instead of reaching those projects, the funds are said to have flowed into a complex money carousel within the Signa group.

As is evident from an internal telephone conference in August 2024, the funds were initially transferred to intermediary companies, from there to Signa Prime Selection AG, and then "little by little" to various holding and administrative units. The aim was apparently to "let capital providers run aground," as Pirolt himself admitted.

The most explosive detail: According to the company, Signal Iduna had contractually ensured that its capital would be used "fully and exclusively" for the project. However, Pirolt's statements suggest that it was used not only for agreed projects but also to plug internal financial gaps – such as at Signa Development AG.

The insurance and its subsidiary feel deceived and have filed a criminal complaint. Austrian investigators are also now investigating on suspicion of serious fraud against Pirolt. Numerous files support the suspicion that Signa may have misappropriated funds from several investors – an incident that could now become one of the biggest economic scandals in recent years.

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