Federal prosecutors investigate potential compliance failures
German authorities have carried out raids at Deutsche Bank offices in Frankfurt and Berlin as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering, according to the Office of the Federal Prosecutor. The inquiry, conducted alongside the Federal Criminal Police Office, is focused on “unknown individuals and employees” at Germany’s largest lender.
In a statement, prosecutors said the investigation relates to past business relationships maintained by Deutsche Bank with foreign companies that are suspected of having been used for money laundering purposes. Officials declined to provide further details about the individuals, transactions, or companies involved.
Bank confirms searches at its premises
A spokesperson for Deutsche Bank confirmed that searches were carried out at its offices, but did not offer additional comment on the scope of the investigation. Prosecutors stressed that no further information could be disclosed at this stage regarding the background of the business relationships or the transactions processed through the bank.
The investigation is understood to center on whether Deutsche Bank complied with its statutory reporting obligations under Germany’s anti-money laundering regulations, rather than on specific criminal acts by named individuals.
Reports link case to Abramovich, lawyers deny involvement
German media reports suggested the inquiry may have links to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. His legal representatives have strongly rejected those claims, describing them as “entirely false and inaccurate.”
A lawyer for Abramovich told the BBC that he has no connection to the raids, is not under investigation, and is not suspected of any wrongdoing. The statement added that Abramovich’s name was cited only to attract media attention and that the investigation relates solely to Deutsche Bank’s alleged reporting failures.
Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK and the European Union in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He has denied allegations of close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Not the first raid on Deutsche Bank
This is not the first time Deutsche Bank has faced searches by authorities. In 2018, its Frankfurt headquarters and several other offices were raided as part of a separate money laundering investigation involving around 170 police officers and officials.
That earlier case examined whether bank employees helped clients establish offshore accounts to transfer money linked to criminal activities, focusing on transactions carried out between 2013 and early 2018.
The latest probe underscores ongoing scrutiny of major financial institutions in Germany as regulators continue to strengthen enforcement of anti-money laundering rules.