In most Länder, the police offer the possibility to file criminal complaints online. In some Länder the respective websites are called “Internetwache”, and in other Länder they are called “Onlinewache”. But what kind of criminal complaints can you file online? And how can you do this?

Please be aware:

Online police stations are not a suitable point of contact if, for example

• evidence must be secured or the circumstances at the scene of the crime must be recorded,
• the facts of the case are very extensive or complicated

Especially if you are feeling very upset, it can help to ask a close friend or relative to assist you when filing the criminal complaint. Since questions about the crime can be stressful for those affected, it is a good idea to have someone to support you.

Reports of internet crime can also be relayed to the police and public prosecutor’s office via reporting centres. These centres also offer help with filing criminal complaints and requests to prosecute. You can find out more about this in the information sheet on „Hate and Violence on the Internet“.

If payment cards or identity documents have been stolen, it is essential to block the cards quickly. In such cases, please contact the following telephone number immediately: Emergency hotline for blocking cards: +49 116 116. You can, of course, still report the theft online.

Land online police stations

You can file criminal complaints online in the following Länder:
Baden-Württemberg
Berlin
Brandenburg
Bremen
Hamburg
Hesse
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Lower Saxony
North Rhine-Westphalia
Rhineland-Palatinate
Saxony
Saxony-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holstein

The following Länder do not yet have an online police station. However, you can contact the police via the Internet:
Bavaria
Saarland
Thuringia