Berlin leads the way in project against illegal car rentals

Senator of the Interior Iris Spranger. (archive picture)

Berlin's Senator of the Interior Iris Spranger (SPD) has announced decisive action against illegal car rental companies.

To this end, the Berlin State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is leading the corresponding Europe-wide "Rent" project, as announced by the Interior Administration. 

Project to run for two years

Participants include the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Netherlands, Europol, the State Criminal Police Offices of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Bavaria and Brandenburg, the Federal Ministry of the Interior as well as the general associations of the insurance industry and car rental companies. According to the information provided, one million euros in EU funding is available for the project. It will initially run for two years. Among other things, a legal opinion is planned to clarify which stricter legislation or laws are necessary.

Europe-wide analysis of structures

It will also analyze the structures across Europe, create a picture of the situation, compile findings on suspicious car rental companies and develop further approaches to combat the crime. "In Berlin, there are around 2,000 car rental companies with 60,000 vehicles. Of these, around 60 car rental companies have links to clan crime," said Spranger. "That's why we initiated the "Rent" project under the leadership of the LKA Berlin in order to hit organized crime at its most vulnerable points: Money, status and prestige."

Strike against money laundering and insurance fraud

If the business model of these suspicious car rental companies, with around 2,200 cars in Berlin, could be successfully removed, this would be an effective blow against money laundering and insurance fraud. "It will also increase safety on Berlin's roads," said Spranger. "Because it is precisely these vehicles that attract negative attention in daily traffic with aggressive driving behavior, speeding and a lack of consideration for others." They are often involved in serious, sometimes fatal traffic accidents.

"Law and order apply on Berlin streets"

Rules and laws must be enforced and followed in order to protect the most vulnerable road users in particular, such as pedestrians, families, children and senior citizens, said the Senator. "I am convinced that this is the only way to strengthen confidence in the state's ability to act. On Berlin's roads, law and order apply and not the law of the jungle."