Police search in the KVR Munich

Polizei durchsucht Ausländerbehörde München

In recent days, a scandal surrounding alleged corruption at the Munich Immigration Office has caused a stir. Five current employees and one former employee of the office are currently in custody. The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the suspects for bribery, forgery, and illegally influencing administrative decisions. The investigation focuses on a service provider (a so-called "relocator") who allegedly produced forged documents for payment and bribed the office's employees.

Corruption and bribery: How a service provider infiltrated the immigration authorities

According to investigations by the Munich District Administration Office (KVR), the accused relocator allegedly committed corrupt acts in several cases between May 2022 and January 2024. The service provider facilitated contact with foreign clients seeking residence and work permits. In collaboration with certain employees of the immigration office, illegal administrative decisions are alleged to have been made. The relevant officials are said to have each received €150 in cash per case, resulting in a total sum in the low five-figure range.

Investigators also accuse the relocator of creating forged documents to circumvent the legal process for obtaining residence permits or work permits. This practice is not only a criminal offense but also represents a serious abuse of the trust of public institutions.

Internal investigations and anti-corruption measures of the authority

The Munich Immigration Office became aware of the suspicious activity through internal tips. Regular anti-corruption training for employees, in particular, helped to identify irregularities early on. Employees reported that the relocator was at the office outside of regular office hours and regularly spoke with the same staff members. These anomalies ultimately led to an internal report and the initiation of a comprehensive investigation by the public prosecutor's office.

The role of internal audit and the anti-corruption unit

The District Administration Department immediately deployed its internal audit department and the anti-corruption office to investigate the suspicions. The internal audit department, which acts like its own public prosecutor's office within the department, had access to all data records and programs, enabling a discreet investigation without the knowledge of the affected employees. These preventative measures and the department's swift response contributed to the swift resolution of the corruption allegations.

The political reaction and consequences

The scandal has caused outrage in the political sphere. The CSU, in particular, was shocked by the extent of corruption within a public authority. The Munich District Administration Office pursues a clear zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and has promptly reported any irregularities. Furthermore, investigations are continuing to determine how many people have fraudulently obtained a residence permit or work permit through the authority's illegal practices.

Conclusion: Loss of trust and necessary consequences

The scandal surrounding the Munich Immigration Office demonstrates once again the importance of strict anti-corruption measures and transparent working practices in public institutions. While swift internal responses and investigations have helped limit the damage, the loss of trust in the authority and its integrity remains a serious problem. The criminal consequences for the employees and service provider involved are likely to be far-reaching and could lead to a rethink in administrative practice.

This case also highlights the importance of combating corruption in public authorities at all levels and protecting the public service from abuse. The impact on the immigration authorities and the individuals affected is not yet clear, but the case will certainly have far-reaching consequences for the authority's future work and its personnel management.