Windmill Scammer Hendrik Holt Escapes German Prison After Andorra Ties

German authorities are searching for Hendrik Holt, the "windmill scammer" who once held passive residency in Andorra, after he failed to return to Heidering prison in Berlin following an unaccompanied furlough on Tuesday.

The Osnabrück public prosecutor's office has confirmed to German outlet NDR that Holt, who had been in an open regime for some time, did not report back as required. Officials now classify the incident as an escape and have launched a manhunt. Holt received nearly nine years in prison in 2022 from the Osnabrück Regional Court for fraud, bribery, and document forgery tied to fake wind farm projects pitched to energy companies.

During his time in the Principat, Holt promoted a proposed wind farm in Andorra as part of his pitches to potential investors. He was arrested in 2020 at a Berlin hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic, shortly after leaving Andorra amid lockdown measures.

A letter from Holt's circle, declaring he would not return, was sent to the prosecutor's office and prison, aligning with officials' assessment of him as a fugitive who has displayed multiple personas in the case. Separately, an Instagram account apparently linked to Holt posted an image with the message "Greetings from Moscow," referencing caviar. While this has sparked speculation he may be in the Russian capital, authorities have not confirmed his location.

Holt's former Andorran business partner was arrested in Algeria in the past. No further updates have emerged on the search.