When I went shopping last time I visited my mom I thought it was higher. I took back a crate with empty bottles and got mineral water almost for free. The price

When I went shopping last time I visited my mom I thought it was higher. I took back a crate with empty bottles and got mineral water almost for free. The price for the water was almost as high as the deposit if I remember correctly. In any case I have heard about people stealing "Pfandflaschen" but never about people producing them. I think there are easier ways to commit fraud.