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Raid against illegal workers: 200 customs officers on duty in Osnabrück!
Customs raid in Osnabrück: Over 200 officers search nine companies on suspicion of tax evasion and illegal work.
Raid against illegal workers: 200 customs officers on duty in Osnabrück!
On October 29, 2025, undeclared work in the construction industry in the Osnabrück and North Rhine-Westphalia area was clearly targeted. More than 200 customs officers searched the offices of nine companies today on behalf of the public prosecutor's offices in Osnabrück and Oldenburg. The initial situation is alarming: nine people are suspected of not having paid social security contributions and payroll taxes for their employees, which significantly endangers state revenue.
A significant amount of evidence was seized during the raids. This includes computers, cell phones and a sum of 680,000 euros that was confiscated from a company account. The exact financial damage has not yet been determined, but it is assumed that the losses are far higher than the amount confiscated. In addition to the searches in the Osnabrück area, a simultaneous operation also took place in the Oldenburg region, which underlines the seriousness of the investigation.
Tightening of laws against undeclared work
The measures taken today in Osnabrück are part of a broader federal government initiative aimed at combating tax evasion and undeclared work more effectively. A new draft law to strengthen financial controls against undeclared work was recently passed. This customs unit, known as FKS, is tasked with investigating abuse of social benefits and violations of working and competitive conditions. The federal government not only wants to protect exploitation through intensified investigations, but also ensure that state revenue is protected.
A central measure is the introduction of digital and data-supported audit and investigation methods, which are intended to improve the efficiency of controls. The aim is to use artificial intelligence to evaluate large amounts of data and identify risks related to undeclared work at an early stage. Extending the retention periods for accounting receipts is a further step to protect companies that operate legally from unfair competition.
The fight against undeclared work remains highly topical
The raids in Lower Saxony are a clear indication that undeclared work and illegal employment are serious crimes that cannot be left unattended. While companies that comply with legal requirements want to continue to compete, it is more important than ever to shed light on and combat the dark side of the world of work. Today we were able to observe how measures to combat undeclared work are making concrete progress.
It is becoming increasingly clear that German politicians and especially financial controls are determined to take action against these practices. The raids are not only a signal to the perpetrators, but also a call to society to advocate for fair working conditions and decent pay.
A look at the developments shows that the government's efforts to curb undeclared work are essential for the future of the labor market in Germany - in this sense, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what additional measures will be taken to ensure security and fairness in the labor market.