Two delivery drivers arrested in Braunschweig: expensive tablet instead of electronic waste!

Two delivery drivers arrested in Braunschweig: expensive tablet instead of electronic waste!

A current incident is causing a stir in Braunschweig and is shining a spotlight on the problems in the area of ​​parcel delivery and theft. Today, December 2, 2025, police arrested two delivery drivers after a customer raised suspicions of fraud. The 59-year-old from Braunschweig had ordered an expensive tablet from Amazon. The first delivery attempt on November 26, 2025 went wrong, but in the second attempt on November 27, he received a package that was already opened and only contained a worthless electronic part instead of the tablet. The customer reacted correctly and immediately informed the police.

During the course of the investigation, the police suspected that the stolen tablet could be in the delivery vehicle. The public prosecutor then issued a search warrant, and what a surprise: when searching the suspects' vehicle, the officers found several opened and partially empty boxes as well as expensive electronic items. The vehicle was confiscated because it had cavities that could be used for secret hiding places. The suspected delivery driver's home was also searched, where other high-quality electronic items, including a cell phone without proof of ownership, were discovered. It's almost unbelievable, but the Amazon dispatch team found the ordered tablet, which has now returned to the customer's possession.

The dark side of online trading

What can be learned from this incident? The investigations in Braunschweig are part of a larger problem that is currently affecting Germany. According to a report by euronews, retailers in the country are struggling with record losses due to theft. A hole of 4.95 billion euros in missing goods is expected for 2024; a significant proportion of this results from shoplifting. Professional theft rings pose a significant threat to retail and increase pressure on police and security forces. Theft of goods is not only a recipe for trouble for retailers, but also an indication of the social crisis that many people in Germany are currently experiencing.

In addition to criminal energy, there is also the downside of rising costs of living, which ultimately lead to an increase in shoplifting. High unemployment and the burden of energy prices enable organized crime to operate rampantly. The associated risk for everyone involved – from the retailer to the delivery staff to the customers – is enormous and highlights how important a secure and trustworthy supply chain is in online retail.

Investigations continue

The two suspects, who are accused of being involved in a particularly serious theft, have had to surrender to the police, but the investigation is far from complete. The Braunschweig police have recognized the urgency of these cases and will continue to try to clarify the extent of the incidents. Whether these two men are part of a larger criminal network remains to be seen. This incident raises awareness of the security situation and the measures necessary to better counteract such activities, and we will look forward to seeing how the investigation develops.

The current situation shows once again that not everything that glitters is gold when it comes to online shopping. Shoppers should remain vigilant and always think one step ahead to protect themselves and their orders. The police and security agencies are looking for answers and we will monitor how the case progresses.