Germany experiences a significant upward trend in financial wrongdoing, with a rise of 57%
In a concerning development, Germany has seen a significant increase in economic crimes this year, according to the Federal Criminal Office (BKA). A total of 61,358 economic crimes were reported, marking a 57.6% rise from the previous year [1].
This surge in economic crimes, which account for only about one percent of all recorded crimes, is causing more than a third of the total damage, with a nationwide damage sum of 2.76 billion euros this year, a 2.9% increase from the previous year [1].
The BKA has highlighted the increase as a significant development, underscoring the need for consistent reporting to make economic criminal structures visible and successfully prosecute crimes.
Fraud cases have seen the second-highest increase among all types of economic crimes, with a rise of 116.7% to 39,207 cases this year [1]. Healthcare billing fraud, in particular, has increased massively by 847.6% to 20,553 cases this year [1].
The rise in economic crime cases is linked to several factors, including a booming shadow economy, high tax burdens, and widespread scam attempts targeting consumers. The high incidence of scams, as revealed by a 2025 survey by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, found that 54% of German adults faced scam attempts in the last year, with 46% falling victim and average losses of EUR 820 per victim [2].
The shadow economy, which includes undeclared work often linked to fraud, has surged to over 11% of the total economic output. The value of undeclared work was about EUR 482 billion in 2024, with a projected increase to EUR 511 billion in 2025 [3].
Large-scale tax frauds such as the Cum-Ex and Cum-Cum schemes continue to cost Germany billions, with nearly EUR 29 billion lost between 2000 and 2020 [4]. Despite awareness, these schemes persist due to limited government action and the complexity of prosecution.
The clearance rate for economic crimes is significantly higher than the overall clearance rate of all recorded crimes, standing at 88.9 percent this year [1]. This indicates a concerted effort by authorities to combat economic crime.
An extensive investigation in Schleswig-Holstein, involving both fraud and healthcare billing fraud, was responsible for the significant increase in economic crimes this year [1].
In summary, the surge in economic crimes in Germany this year is a result of a confluence of high scam activity, a growing shadow economy driven by tax-related incentives, and ongoing large-scale tax fraud schemes. The overall financial damage runs into tens of billions of euros annually.
References: [1] Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), 2022. [2] Global Anti-Scam Alliance, 2025. [3] German Federal Statistical Office, 2024, 2025. [4] European Union Taxation and Customs Union, 2022.
- The surge in economic crimes in Germany this year, as reported by the Federal Criminal Office (BKA), is a concern due to its significant impact on business and finance, causing more than a third of the total damage with a total sum of 2.76 billion euros, a 2.9% increase from the previous year.
- The increase in economic crimes, primarily fraud cases, is associated with various factors, such as a booming shadow economy, high tax burdens, and widespread scam attempts, hence the need for enhanced general-news coverage and justice for their successful prosecution.
