Multiple arrests and several searches carried out by the Public Prosecutor's Office Münster and Customs Office Münster in connection with recurrent fraud within the construction sector.

In a significant development, a criminal proceeding against a 33-year-old man is currently underway at the Local Court of Münster. The man, who operates a construction company, is accused of withholding and embezzling wages, committing fraud, and violating social security regulations.

The operation, which involves over 110 employees of the Main Customs Offices Münster and Osnabrück, around 40 federal police officers, and several representatives from the Public Prosecutor's Office and the municipalities, was transmitted via news aktuell from the Main Customs Office Münster.

The main suspect's apartment was searched by the Main Customs Office Münster in 2022, and incriminating material was found. The man is said to have continued his illegal activities and acted very conspiratorially, concealing his place of residence and transferring his accounts abroad.

The man was taken into custody with the support of a special unit of the Federal Police. A 61-year-old employee, who works for the company as a laborer, is also implicated in the case and was taken into custody due to an open arrest warrant for violating probation conditions from another proceeding.

The 33-year-old is alleged to have operated his construction company without registering his employees for social security or paying contributions. The Main Customs Office Münster executed two arrest warrants in Münster and Senden as part of the operation.

The investigations are ongoing and also target another woman for potential supporting activities. The name of the other woman identified in connection with further investigations is Marie F. from Buckow, who had been reported missing since the end of June 2025.

Three customs dogs are involved in the operation, with a special task of discovering hidden cash. The authorities are searching a total of seven objects, including four apartments and three business objects.

For inquiries, the Main Customs Office Münster can be contacted at Verena John, telephone: 0251/4814-1306, email: [email protected], and website: www.zoll.de.

The main suspect's alleged accomplice is a 54-year-old woman who temporarily acted as a straw woman and managed the company's affairs. The operation follows months of investigations, and initial findings are expected during the day.