The German government intends to significantly intensify the fight against organized crime. With a new action plan, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, and the Federal Ministry of Justice are focusing on increased networking, additional personnel, and modern technology. The goal is not only to prosecute criminal structures but also to systematically dismantle their economic foundations.
The focus is on money.
At the heart of the new strategy lies the principle of "follow the money." Organized crime primarily operates through financial incentives and complex money flows. This is precisely where the state intends to take more decisive action in the future.
Illegally acquired profits are to be confiscated more quickly – regardless of whether they consist of cash, luxury vehicles, or real estate. Financial investigations are to be strengthened and assets secured more rapidly. According to official figures, organized crime caused approximately €2.6 billion in damages in 2024. However, experts assume that the actual figure is considerably higher.
Money laundering as a structural core problem
A key component of the action plan is combating money laundering. It is estimated that assets worth hundreds of billions of euros are laundered annually in Germany. Organized structures use international corporate structures, front men, and complex financial transactions to conceal illicit profits.
Customs is to receive new specialized investigation units. A dedicated money laundering investigation center is also planned. Furthermore, joint investigation teams of customs and the Federal Criminal Police Office are to be established to prevent information losses and make procedures more efficient.
The planned reversal of the burden of proof in cases of conspicuous asset-income discrepancies is particularly sensitive from a legal policy perspective. Anyone possessing substantial assets that clearly do not correspond to their legally declared income could in the future be required to provide more detailed information about the origin of these assets.
Increased data exchange and use of artificial intelligence
A key shortcoming in recent years has been the insufficient exchange of information between authorities. The action plan therefore provides for legally compliant, purpose-bound direct access to data repositories. Customs and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) are to work more closely together in the future.
Plans also include the increased use of automated data analysis. Artificial intelligence will be used to evaluate large amounts of data more quickly and to identify suspicious patterns. This will be complemented by new powers for biometric internet matching and expanded opportunities for testing and training IT systems under realistic conditions.
These measures mark a significant technological upgrade of the security authorities.
Drug-related crime remains a focus
A significant portion of investigations into organized crime continues to focus on international drug trafficking. Here, cooperation between customs and the Federal Criminal Police Office is to be strengthened institutionally.
The plan includes establishing a joint analysis and evaluation center for drug-related crime. In addition, joint investigative teams are to be established at the federal level to enable a faster response to new structures.
Organized crime and cryptocurrencies
The action plan is particularly interesting in the context of Cryptocurrencies How Bitcoin or other digital assets. Organized criminal networks are increasingly using crypto transactions to transfer funds quickly, pseudonymously, and across borders. Wallet structures, mixing services, and decentralized platforms significantly complicate traditional financial investigations.
The increased use of AI-supported data analysis and closer data exchange between customs and law enforcement agencies could open up new avenues for investigation. Blockchain analysis already makes it possible to trace transaction chains and identify assets – even if these have been moved across multiple wallets.
Should the planned asset forfeiture be consistently applied to digital assets as well, not only real estate or luxury vehicles, but also crypto holdings could be seized and confiscated more quickly in the future. For market participants in the crypto sector, this simultaneously means increased regulatory scrutiny and a higher risk associated with poorly documented asset sources.
More staff and faster procedures
Interior Minister Dobrindt announced plans to strengthen the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) with additional personnel and enforcement tools. Justice Minister Hubig emphasized that organized crime not only causes economic damage but also undermines trust in the rule of law.
Investigations must be conducted swiftly, procedures efficiently designed, and sentences consistently enforced. Only then can the deterrent effect of criminal law truly take hold.
A paradigm shift in security policy?
The action plan indicates a strategic realignment. Instead of primarily prosecuting individual crimes in isolation, the federal government is placing greater emphasis on the financial and structural background.
The confiscation of assets, the potential reversal of the burden of proof, and the use of automated data analysis will be the subject of intense legal debate. Here, security interests directly intersect with fundamental rights issues, particularly in the areas of data protection and property rights.
Conclusion
The German government will focus more on structural investigations, asset seizure, and technological modernization in the future. The approach is clear: criminal networks should not only be prosecuted but also suffer significant economic damage.
Whether the action plan achieves its full effect will depend on how quickly the announced legal changes are implemented – and how effectively the authorities cooperate in practice. One thing is certain, however: the fight against organized crime will continue to gain political importance in the coming years.
