A shocking fraud by a married couple: They got married and divorced 12 times in 43 years.

A married couple living in Austria has shocked many with their fraudulent scheme. The couple, who devised a plan to gain unfair profits, targeted the country's pension system instead of individuals.

12 MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES IN 43 YEARS

Government officials investigating the couple's actions found that the fraud was only uncovered during their last divorce case, after they had married and divorced a total of 12 times in the last 43 years.

326 THOUSAND EUROS IN PROFITS

The couple, who were determined to have gained a total of 326 thousand Euros unfairly from the pension system through their method, are now under investigation for fraud.

EVERY NEW MARRIAGE LASTED THREE YEARS

According to a report in Newsweek, the woman, who is claimed to have married a total of 13 times, began receiving a "widow's pension" from the state after the death of her first husband in 1981, and then married her second husband, who was a few years younger than her, within a year. Six years later, she ended her marriage, which had "irreparably deteriorated" due to her husband's job as a truck driver, and it was found that a cycle of marriage and divorce began, with each new marriage lasting about three years.

THEY CONTINUED TO LIVE TOGETHER

According to the officials conducting the investigation, the couple actually continued to live together throughout the entire process. However, they defrauded Austria's pension insurance system by officially separating and reconciling. By law, the woman continued to receive a widow's pension every time she divorced and could claim 27 thousand Euros in compensation for each new husband she married. It was revealed that the couple had obtained a total of 326 thousand Euros through this method over the years.

THEY ARE STILL OFFICIALLY MARRIED

The couple was sued after refusing to make pension fund payments, but the Austrian Supreme Court ruled in March that the couple's exploitation of legal loopholes was unjust. Following the court's decision, the police launched an investigation against the couple for "serious fraud." Interestingly, it was learned that the couple is still considered officially married because their 12th divorce was not recognized by the authorities.