White-collar crime in Germany: artificial intelligence is increasingly seen as a risk factor

Artificial intelligence is a proven tool in many companies for making processes faster and more efficient. However, the use of new technologies also carries risks. Our study on economic crime in Germany shows that 71 per cent of the companies we surveyed already rate the risk of AI-based fraud as high or very high. And 58 per cent expect this risk to rise in the coming years. Companies identify a lack of IT security measures, ignorance and carelessness as the biggest risk factors for AI-enabled attacks. In line with this, the study reveals a clear pattern: in half of the affected companies, the IT systems were the primary point of attack.

Perception of risk continues to rise

Companies now take the threat of white-collar crime far more seriously than they did a few years ago. Although 19 per cent currently report specific incidents, almost one in two companies (48 per cent) considers the risk of falling victim to criminal activity to be high. The figures show that awareness is growing – despite a comparatively lower number of reported cases, many companies feel increasingly threatened and are adapting their security and compliance measures accordingly.

Increased investment in combating economic crime – particularly following incidents

Many companies assume that artificial intelligence, in particular, is being used by criminals as a tool for fraud, embezzlement and other offences. Companies not only recognise this risk but are also actively responding to it by making targeted investments in preventive measures.

It is evident that companies that have already been affected spend considerably more on prevention and detection than those that have not yet experienced an incident.

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Our study shows that companies view AI-based attacks as an ever-growing risk. Published in German.

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Cybercrime remains a serious threat

Data theft, computer fraud or sabotage: that's how different the dangers of cybercrime are.

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Artificial intelligence as a tool for prevention

Even though AI is perceived as a major risk, companies are also relying on the technology for awareness-raising and prevention, and are having very positive experiences with it. Although the study results show that AI-based technologies have so far been used to a limited extent to prevent fraud. However, where they have been deployed, 64 per cent of respondents have observed a reduction in fraud rates that they can directly attribute to the use of AI-based technologies.

Our study results reveal further trends:

Large companies see more benefits in using AI than smaller companies, suggesting that they are better able to exploit AI’s potential due to scalability and investment.

Companies with a turnover of up to €250 million cite cost savings more frequently as a benefit of AI use than large companies – a sign that, for small and medium-sized organisations, cost efficiency is a direct and tangible benefit.

Further results:

Serious damage remains the exception

In 2025, none of the companies surveyed reported losses exceeding one million euros.
Trade secrets under pressure

51 per cent of the companies affected report breaches of trade secrets – a significant increase compared with 2023 (14 per cent).
Detection is becoming more systematic

Only five per cent of cases are now detected by chance (2023: 50 per cent). Annual audits (30 per cent) and tips from the authorities (31 per cent) have become increasingly important in identifying cases of fraud.
Implementation of the EU AI Act is still in its early stages

Only 14 per cent of companies have fully implemented the requirements, whilst 28 per cent do not consider themselves affected by the legislation.