A couple from Graz, Austria, is under investigation for allegedly exploiting marriage and divorce laws to fraudulently claim over €326,000 in widow's pensions.

Over 35 years, the 73-year-old woman married and divorced her second husband 12 times, while they continued to live together.

This scheme allowed her to repeatedly claim a widow's pension, despite the couple never actually separating.

The case came to light following a Supreme Court ruling in March 2024, which deemed such actions as abusive if the marriage was never truly broken.

The couple, who have not confessed to the charges, are now facing accusations of serious commercial fraud.

This case highlights a broader issue of social benefit fraud in Austria, with a significant increase in such crimes over the past decade.