Penal provisions concerning money laundering

The criminal law reform of 2021 resulted in the seemingly boundless applicability of the money-laundering provision in section 261 of the Criminal Code. Almost any kind of handling of – even indirect – proceeds from any criminal offence whatsoever is now punishable under this provision. Although the prosecuting authorities are not yet making use of the full “potential” that this provision entails, a noticeable increase in proceedings in this area can be expected.
Along with the penal provision of section 261 of the Code, the administrative offences covered by the German Money Laundering Act, under which almost any infringement of the Act’s provisions is punishable, have gained in practical importance.