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The Finanzpolizei (engl. Financial guard or Financial police) is an Austrian civilian police force under the authority of the Austrian Ministry of Finance. It was founded in 2013 after the Zollwache (Customs guard) was dissolved in 2005.
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History
In October 1830 the predecessor organization was founded. During its existence the organization had different denomations like Gränzwache, (Border guard), Finanzwache (Financial Guard) and until its liquidation in May 2004, Zollwache (Customs guard). The Italian Guardia di Finanza has its seeds in the Austrian Finanzwache. The liquidation was conducted, due to the fact, that all neighbour states became members of the European Union or part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area.
Mission of the Finanzpolizei
On 1. July 2013 the Finanzpolizei was founded as a uniformed law enforcement organisation to fight tax fraud, social fraud, illegal gambling, violation of both labour rights and employment regulations. Unlike the predecessor organization of the customs guards, the financial guards are unarmed.