Duisburg Conducts Checks in 'White Giants' Housing Complex Amid Social Fraud Probe

Duisburg city officials have once again inspected the largest of the "White Giants" high-rise buildings in the Hochheide district as part of an intensified effort against widespread social fraud. The operation involved door-to-door checks to verify who resides in the 20-story building and who might be falsely registered to claim social benefits.

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The state government has a duty to protect the people of Bavaria - but it is grossly neglecting it.

Authorities focused on apartments that could not be inspected during a previous check because no one was home or they were vacant. The city has not yet released an official tally of the results from this latest operation. This initiative is part of a growing trend in Ruhr area cities to combat criminal schemes involving social fraud and neglected properties.

Similar operations have taken place in Duisburg's "White Giants" before. In October 2024, a large-scale inspection by the public order office and police uncovered dozens of suspected cases of child benefit fraud, where children were registered in Duisburg but apparently did not live in Germany.

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When one's own apartment becomes a heat trap, quick help is crucial. The same applies to the hot pavement of the cities. People must be able to see with a single click where they can find shade, drinking water, and a cool room nearby.

The "White Giants" area has repeatedly made headlines due to its deteriorating conditions since the 1980s, with over half the apartments lying empty. Delivery personnel had previously avoided the buildings due to safety concerns. Duisburg aims to revitalize the neighborhood and improve living quality. The city has acquired and demolished three of the six original towers, with plans to build a 6.5-hectare city park in their place. The remaining three high-rises are still inhabited.

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The state government must take action itself, instead of shifting this task onto cities and municipalities.