# German criminal asset seizures and auctions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-criminal-asset-seizures-and-auctions
> Updated: 2026-10-23T17:07:46.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

German authorities have conducted large-scale operations to seize assets linked to money laundering, tax fraud, and drug trafficking. In one investigation involving 80 officers across 16 locations in Berlin and Brandenburg, police seized luxury goods including a Lamborghini, a six-carat diamond, gold bars, and over 330,000 euros in cash. The operation also resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the blocking of 189 bank accounts. Investigators found that the suspects allegedly used strawmen and false identities to establish companies used to obscure the source of large sums of money.

Following such criminal proceedings, the Baden-Württemberg judiciary has utilized auctions to liquidate confiscated items. A high-profile auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, organized by the Eppli auction house, generated approximately 2.1 million euros from the sale of 22 items, including 15 cars, three motorcycles, and four luxury watches. This event was noted by senior bailiff Alexander Doster as having interest that “exceeded expectations.”

Notable sales included a Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster, which received bids up to 710,000 euros, a Lamborghini Huracán STO for 370,000 euros, and a Lamborghini Urus Performante for 290,000 euros. Justice Minister Moritz Oppelt described the event as the largest auction of its kind in the state’s history. Proceeds will be distributed according to legal requirements, potentially flowing into state coffers or compensating victims.

## Claims

- The seized goods originated from criminal proceedings involving money laundering, tax fraud, and drug trafficking. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The auction was held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A total of 22 items were auctioned, including 15 cars, three motorcycles, and four luxury watches. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimate Roadster received bids of 710,000 euros. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A Lamborghini Huracán STO reached a price of 370,000 euros. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The auction was organized by the Eppli auction house on behalf of the Baden-Württemberg judiciary. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Justice Minister Moritz Oppelt expected total auction proceeds to exceed two million euros. (single source)
- Some items are sold before criminal proceedings are finalized to avoid depreciation and storage costs. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Stuttgart judicial auction yields 2.1 million euros from seized luxury goods

A major judicial auction in Stuttgart, Germany, raised 2.1 million euros by selling luxury cars and watches seized in criminal investigations, including a 710,000-euro Lamborghini.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stuttgart-justice-auction-sells-luxury-goods-from-criminal-proceedings

### 2026-10-15: German police seize Lamborghini and luxury goods in money laundering raid

German police seized a Lamborghini, a six-carat diamond, and over 600,000 euros in gold during a money laundering raid in Berlin and Brandenburg, resulting in four arrests.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-police-seize-lamborghini-and-luxury-goods-in-money-laundering-raid

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Cite as: German criminal asset seizures and auctions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-criminal-asset-seizures-and-auctions