Illegal work scandal: 300 officials comb through Oldenburg's construction sites!

Illegal work scandal: 300 officials comb through Oldenburg's construction sites!

In the early morning of October 28, 2025, customs carried out a large-scale operation against the organized illegal work structures on behalf of the Oldenburg public prosecutor's office. A considerable contingent of 300 emergency services searched a total of 22 residential and commercial properties in and around Oldenburg, including in the districts of Ammerland, Cloppenburg, Leer and Vechta. This concerns the serious accusation of fraud in social security contributions amounting to around seven million euros. The officers are currently still at the beginning of the investigation after the first witnesses have been interviewed.

Eleven people between the ages of 29 and 66 are currently accused of failing to pay social security contributions and payroll taxes for their employees. Instead, fictitious invoices were used to bill for services not provided. During the searches, the authorities also found illegal weapons such as brass knuckles, stabbing weapons and ammunition. In addition, three people without valid residence permits were unable to identify themselves. In order to secure the assets of the accused, six seizures were carried out. So far, however, no arrests have been made, as the Tagesschau reports.

Background to the investigation

These extensive investigations by the customs financial control agency for undeclared work (FKS) aim to combat organized crime and criminal structures, which often affect many employees over long periods of time. A high level of concealment makes these machinations particularly complex. The FKS works in close cooperation with the police and tax investigators to take action against such crimes through covert measures and investigative groups. The aim is to bring everyone involved to justice and hold the perpetrators accountable.

A typical feature of these so-called chain frauds is the complex interaction of several people who use false fictitious or cover invoices to try to generate black money, for example for wages and profit withdrawals. These are often fake companies that go bankrupt after a short period of time and are replaced by new ones, which makes it difficult to track down. Customs also has the option of ordering telecommunications surveillance in order to stop the masterminds, according to the [Federal Ministry of Finance](https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Standardartikel/Themen/ Zoll/Gerechtigkeit-faire-Arbeit/fks-im-Einsatz-gegen-rechnungsfaelscher.html).

A look outside the box

In a completely different context, the motorsport scene is a topic of conversation. On the same day, the “Zakopání pincka” event took place in Strakonice, which properly celebrated the end of the 2025 motorcycling season. Around 400 participants from all over the Czech Republic and abroad gathered despite the cloudy weather to properly celebrate the joint conclusion. A colorful program was offered, from cascade shows to rocky evening events. This community of solidarity shows that even adverse circumstances cannot reduce the joy of such gatherings, as can be read on Tipcars.

Whether as part of the investigations against illegal workers or during the celebration of the motorcycle autumn: these two events reflect different facets of our society. While some break the laws, others celebrate community and cohesion. Exciting developments that will remain in the focus of our reporting.