Germany intensifies crackdown on organized and financial crime

German authorities are intensifying efforts to combat organized and financial crime through structural reforms and increased enforcement. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the state has established the State Office for Combating Financial Crime (LBF). This agency centralizes the expertise of approximately 1,200 employees to better address professional networks involved in systematic tax evasion. The LBF utilizes a hybrid model of central management and six regional departments, incorporating an IT competence center that employs artificial intelligence to tackle cybercrime and cryptocurrency misuse.

At the federal level, the Federal Ministry of Finance and German Customs are expanding their focus on international organized crime. Customs reported a 20% increase in investigations against organized crime in 2025 compared to 2024, totaling 187 proceedings. Key areas of investigation include international drug smuggling, excise tax fraud, organized undeclared labor, and foreign trade crime. Under the ‘Customs Strategy 2030,’ authorities are expanding powers regarding anti-money laundering, financial investigations, and asset forfeiture to strengthen economic stability and security.