Large-Scale Money Laundering Trial Begins in Berlin

A trial has begun in Berlin against six individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale money laundering scheme using fraudulent invoices. The defendants, comprising five members of the same family and an additional man, allegedly processed around 12 million euros through their illicit operations.

The prosecution alleges that the group commercially sold "cover" and sham invoices, effectively providing a service to disguise undeclared work and facilitate tax evasion. Businesses could order these fake invoices, often for fictitious subcontracting work, and then transfer the purported sums to accounts held by various service companies established by the defendants.

Following the transactions, the funds were returned to the buyers minus a commission. This elaborate process, which ran from January 2021 to December 2025, saw sham invoices totaling approximately 174 million euros issued. The ultimate goal was to create a black money cycle to evade social security contributions and taxes.

In addition to money laundering, the accused face charges including aiding and abetting the withholding and misappropriation of wages, as well as tax evasion. Four of the men have been in custody since December 2025, and the court has scheduled 28 further hearing dates through October.