René Benko

René Benko (born 20 May 1977) is a bankrupt Austrian real estate, media and retail investor, and founder of Signa Holding, considered to be Austria's largest privately held real estate conglomerate. Benko was regarded as one of the richest Austrians and had close relations with leading politicians from all political parties in Austria. Numerous controversies have surrounded Benko’s professional career. In March 2024, Benko declared personal insolvency.

In April 2024, the Liechtenstein public prosecutor's office announced that it had initiated criminal proceedings against Benko. In Italy, the local public prosecutor's office in Trento issued an arrest warrant for Benko in December 2024 and searched a number of his private offices and apartments. Italian authorities justified their actions based on ongoing investigations of real estate speculation by Benko in the province of Trentino and in neighboring South Tyrol.

On 23 January 2025, Benko was arrested. The Austrian Central Office for the Prosecution of Economic Crimes and Corruption (German: Wirtschafts- und Korruptionsstaatsanwaltschaft) stated that his arrest was related to suspicion of fraud and corruption as well as the risk of obfuscation.

On 15 October 2025 Benko was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Austria for financial fraud.