White-collar crime does not only affect large corporations. Private individuals, employees, or small business owners can quickly become the target of investigators. Whether it is an accusation of fraud in online trading, discrepancies in the company cash register, or insolvency issues: your economic existence is often at stake.
Investigating authorities often work persistently in this area and intervene deeply in your privacy – up to the freezing of bank accounts. As a corporate crime and white-collar crime defense lawyer, we do not represent you with legal jargon, but with a clear strategy to keep the damage to your assets and your future as minimal as possible.
Fraud (Section 263 German Criminal Code - StGB)
The allegation of fraud is the "classic" among property offences. The case constellations are diverse and affect people from all walks of life:
- Entering into a contract with intent to defraud (Eingehungsbetrug): You have ordered goods or commissioned services, and the public prosecutor accuses you of knowing from the start that you could not pay.
- Benefit Fraud & Subsidy Fraud: Allegations in connection with student loans (BAföG), citizen's allowance (Bürgergeld), Corona aid, or short-time work allowance.
- Online & eBay Fraud: Disputes over sold goods that are prosecuted under criminal law.
Often these are civil law disputes that are unjustly criminalised. We separate civil law from criminal law and fight for the discontinuation of the proceedings.
Embezzlement & Breach of Trust
This accusation frequently affects employees or managing directors of smaller limited liability companies (GmbHs). Have you used employer funds for private purposes? Or incorrectly booked funds as a club board member? Even if you intended to pay the money back, the accusation of breach of trust (Section 266 StGB) quickly arises. We examine closely whether a financial loss has actually occurred and whether intent can be proven.
Insolvency Criminal Law for Self-Employed
When one's own business gets into a crisis, the pressure is enormous. Anyone who files for insolvency too late risks an indictment for delay in filing for insolvency (Insolvenzverschleppung). Withholding social security contributions (health insurance not paid) is also a criminal offence that is automatically prosecuted. We guide you through this crisis to avoid a criminal record.
Account Frozen? (Asset Seizure)
If the state wants to "skim off" assets (confiscation), private current accounts or business accounts are often frozen during the investigations (arrest). You are suddenly left without money for rent or food.
Urgency is required here: We immediately file legal remedies to secure tax-free allowances and get the accounts released again.
Balance Sheet Offences
Incorrect entries in annual financial statements or balance sheets (§ 331 HGB) can arise as an accompanying allegation within broader white-collar crime proceedings. We handle balance sheet issues as part of the overall defense. We do not handle standalone tax criminal law cases (§ 370 AO).
Money Laundering & Corruption
Money laundering allegations (Section 261 StGB) increasingly affect uninvolved third parties: anyone who has received money from a third party without knowing its origin can still come under the scrutiny of investigators. Those particularly affected are estate agents, lawyers and car dealers, who are subject to statutory anti-money laundering obligations. Corruption charges (Sections 331 et seq. StGB) affect public officials and elected representatives, but also managing directors of private companies. We have experience defending in both areas and become involved as early as possible to limit the damage.
Information valid as of: February 2026