Suspicion of corruption again in Munich immigration office: Three arrests for bribery

Another bribery scandal at the Munich immigration office

In Munich, the immigration authorities are once again at the center of a corruption investigation : Three people were arrested, two of whom are now in custody. The Munich public prosecutor's office accuses the suspects of having arranged residence permits in exchange for money in several cases. According to the investigation, between €500 and €2,500 were allegedly paid in each case.

Among those affected is an employee of the District Administration Department (KVR) , who allegedly issued residence permits in exchange for bribes. Two other suspects are said to have referred Vietnamese applicants to her and organized the payments. During the searches in Munich and the greater Augsburg area, investigators seized approximately €100,000 in cash.

Investigations initiated by the KVR itself

It's noteworthy that the District Administration Department itself initiated the investigation. Internal audits had uncovered irregularities in case handling, prompting the department to file a complaint together with the city's anti-corruption office. District Administration Officer Hanna Sammüller emphasized in a statement that "corruption is a control offense" and that the renewed investigation success demonstrates that the internal control mechanisms are working. The KVR has introduced numerous corruption prevention measures in recent years – apparently with effect.

Repeated cases of corruption in the Munich immigration office

The current case, however, is not an isolated incident: Just in August, two former employees of the authority were charged with bribery . They, too, are alleged to have illegally obtained residence permits for foreigners. These recurring incidents raise questions about the structures and workloads within German immigration authorities. Complex procedures, high staff pressure, and unclear responsibilities can make them vulnerable to misconduct – especially when applicants are desperately waiting for a residence permit.

Conclusion

The renewed suspicion of corruption at the Munich Immigration Office demonstrates that corruption cannot be ruled out even in sensitive administrative areas. At the same time, the case proves that internal control systems and anti-corruption agencies can be effective if consistently applied. It remains crucial for applicants to proceed through official channels and with legal support – this is the only way to ensure that residence permits are legally valid and permanent.