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Money laundering in Germany: A billion-dollar crime game!
Germany is currently considered one of the largest money laundering havens. A new film shows how criminal networks funnel billions of euros into the economy from drug trafficking and terrorism. Experts warn of the threat posed by organized crime and the increase in acts of violence.
Money laundering in Germany: A billion-dollar crime game!
“Money laundering paradise Germany” – that is the title of a current film that highlights the alarming conditions in the German economy. The documentary follows the trail of dirty money that flows into German financial flows in the billions every day from drug trafficking, terrorist networks and organized crime. [ARD Media library](https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/dirty-money-geldwaesche-paradies-deutschland/dirty-money-geldwaesche- paradise-germany/wdr/Y3JpZDovL3dkci5kZS9CZWl0cmFnLXNvcGhvcmEtM2I3MjhhNTQtNWM4OC00ZWU0LTg4MGEtZjQyZDIxN2I0MmZl) reports on the sophisticated tricks of money launderers and provides exciting insights into the work of authorities such as the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the tax investigation department.
The explosive situation is not an isolated case. A BKA press release dated October 24, 2025 confirms that the threat from organized crime remains high in Germany. In 2024, 647 investigations into organized crime were initiated nationwide. Over 70 percent of these had transnational dimensions.
The dark side of organized crime
The main area of activity of organized crime is still drug trafficking, which will be in first place in 2024 with almost 260 cases. This is followed by economic crime with around 110 cases. What is particularly worrying is the increasing willingness to use violence in public spaces, which included 280 violent crimes last year. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt describes this development as a brutal and unscrupulous reality that must be combated.
The statistics also show a shocking total loss of around 2.64 billion euros from organized crime, with over two thirds of the damage being recorded in the area of cybercrime. Despite the fact that cybercrime only accounts for four percent of cases, the economic damage is immense. For example, the estimated damage from cybercrime alone is around 1.7 billion euros.
Challenges and solutions
The BKA has launched various measures to take action against these criminal structures. This includes, among other things, the establishment of a competence center for digital financial investigations and the Joint Platform to Combat Organized Crime (GPOK). Holger Münch, President of the BKA, emphasizes the importance of networking these structures in order to take effective measures to dismantle them.
Another worrying phenomenon is the recruitment of children and young people into criminal activities, particularly through social media and gaming platforms. This development requires urgent attention and action to prevent younger generations from falling into crime.
Overall, it is clear that Germany, as one of the largest money laundering havens, has a serious problem. The current film and the reports from the authorities make it clear that the entanglements of organized crime are deeply woven into the society of the Federal Republic. A rethink and effective measures are urgently needed to counteract this shadowy world.
The challenges are great, but with intensive national and international cooperation organized crime could be put to a stop. Let us be surprised at what progress can be made in this regard in the near future. Tagesschau analyzes the situation and keeps its finger on the pulse of this urgent problem.
For Germany's security, it is essential to comprehensively examine money laundering and its background and to pull everyone together. This is the only way to stop criminal activity.