Deutsche Bank Offices Raided Amid Ongoing Money Laundering Investigations

Sat Jan 31 2026 19:11:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Authorities have conducted raids at Deutsche Bank's locations in Frankfurt and Berlin as part of a money laundering investigation involving alleged ties to foreign companies and individuals.

Officials from Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office have conducted searches at Deutsche Bank's offices as part of an investigation into money laundering activities. The bank is under scrutiny for maintaining business relationships with foreign companies suspected of facilitating illegal financial transactions. German media suggests links to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, though his representatives deny any knowledge of the investigations. The raids come just ahead of Deutsche Bank's scheduled announcement of its full-year financial results.

Deutsche Bank's offices in Frankfurt and Berlin have been raided by officials as part of an inquiry into money laundering. In a statement, the Office of the Federal Prosecutor said it was conducting an investigation, involving the Federal Criminal Police Office, into unknown individuals and employees at Germany's largest bank.

It stated that Deutsche Bank had maintained business relationships in the past with foreign companies suspected of having been used for money laundering purposes. A Deutsche Bank spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that searches were carried out at its premises.

Officials declined to comment on the specific individuals at the bank or which foreign companies are being investigated. They noted that no further information on the background of the business relationships, transactions processed through Deutsche Bank AG, or involved companies could be provided.

German media reports suggest possible links to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. A legal representative for Abramovich stated that he is not aware of any investigations by German authorities and has always complied with applicable laws. Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government and the EU in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Deutsche Bank is set to release its full-year results on Thursday, coinciding with the probes that are now likely to overshadow the announcement. Its stock closed nearly 2% lower on the day prior.

This is not the first occasion the bank's offices have been searched; a similar operation took place in 2018 concerning money laundering investigations.