Fraud network in Berlin: Major raid with 25 searches!

Fraud network in Berlin: Major raid with 25 searches!

On the morning of November 5, 2025, the Berlin State Criminal Police Office carried out a large-scale operation in which a total of 25 searches took place in various districts of Berlin as well as in Mittenwalde (Brandenburg) and Dessau-Roßlau (Saxony-Anhalt). These measures are part of an investigation directed against 15 suspects, including eleven men between the ages of 32 and 63 and four women between the ages of 43 and 74. The main suspect, a 42-year-old man, was arrested and will be brought before an investigating judge. According to berlin.de, unlawful billings for coaching measures were made to job centers and employment agencies in the period from May 2021 to at least July 2023.

These coaching measures, which are mainly intended for people who receive unemployment benefit I or II, were either not provided at all or only partially. The incorrect billing resulted in significant financial damage amounting to 890,974.40 euros. The investigations show that incomplete services are worthless for the responsible job centers and agencies.

Emergency forces and scope of the investigation

Around 200 emergency services from Berlin were supported in the searches by around 20 forces from Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. The searches focused on districts such as Charlottenburg, Baumschulenweg, and Lichtenrade as well as on the cities of Mittenwalde and Dessau-Roßlau. During this extensive operation, investigators confiscated data carriers and business documents, which are now being evaluated.

Social fraud like the case pursued here is a serious offense that, according to jurawelt.com, falls under Section 263 of the Criminal Code (Fraud). This offense includes fraudulently obtaining social benefits by providing false information or concealing relevant facts. In order to obtain undue financial advantage, it is important that applicants provide correct information, as complaints about incorrect information can, in the worst case, have legal consequences.

Consequences and legal framework conditions

The consequences of social fraud are serious. Anyone who fraudulently obtains social benefits by providing incorrect or missing information must expect fines or even imprisonment, which can last up to five years. In particularly serious cases, penalties of up to ten years are possible. The recovery of illegally received social benefits is also one of the consequences that fraudsters must expect. According to kanzlei-dannhauer.de, proof of intent is crucial: “Negligent errors” usually lead to administrative offenses, while repeated violations or commercial fraud are punished more severely.

This comprehensive investigation shows once again how important correct billing for services is and the damage that incorrect information can cause. Authorities are increasingly relying on automated checking systems and data comparisons in order to detect and prevent such fraud at an early stage. This shows that insurance and assistance that benefit society's most vulnerable depend on the honesty-based cooperation of all those involved.