Security News > 2020 > October > Police Raided German Spyware Company FinFisher Offices

German investigating authorities have raided the offices of Munich-based company FinFisher that sells the infamous commercial surveillance spyware dubbed 'FinSpy,' reportedly in suspicion of illegally exporting the software to abroad without the required authorization.

Investigators from the German Customs Investigation Bureau, ordered by the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office, searched a total of 15 properties in Munich, including business premises of FinFisher GmbH, two other business partners, as well as the private apartments of the managing directors, along with a partner company in Romania from October 6 to 8.

A new report from BR and NDR suggests the spying firm illegally exported FinSpy to other countries without the correct export license issued by the federal government.

The Munich public prosecutor's office is now investigating "Suspected violations of the Foreign Trade Act against managing directors and employees of FinFisher GmbH and at least two other companies," said a spokeswoman to BR and NDR. The raids were part of a criminal complaint [pdf] filed by the GFF, Netzpolitik, Reporters Without Borders, and the European Center for Constitutional Rights and Human Rights against the managing directors of FinFisher GmbH in July 2019.

The German media site has taken down the original report it posted last year after FinFisher sued the publication and won the case.

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