- Legal Basis
- § 246 StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment of up to three years or a fine; up to five years in cases of entrustment
- Summary
- Unlawfully appropriating a movable object belonging to another that is already in one's possession
Embezzlement / Misappropriation (Section 246 German Criminal Code) – Criminal Defence Against Misappropriation Charges
Misappropriation (Embezzlement) covers the unlawful appropriation of a movable object belonging to another that is already in the offender’s possession. Unlike theft, misappropriation does not require a breach of custody – the offender already has the object in their control and then unlawfully appropriates it. For expats in Germany, this is an important distinction, as keeping borrowed items, found objects, or overpaid amounts can constitute a criminal offence.
Statutory Text – Section 246 StGB
Paragraph 1: Whoever unlawfully appropriates a movable object belonging to another for themselves or a third party shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine, unless the act is subject to a more severe penalty under other provisions.
Paragraph 2: If the object was entrusted to the offender, the penalty shall be imprisonment of up to five years or a fine.
Elements of the Offence in Detail
Movable object belonging to another: The object must belong to another person and be movable. Money and securities are also covered. Ownerless objects are not included.
Appropriation: Appropriation is the central element. It occurs when the offender incorporates the object or its economic value and permanently excludes the owner from using it. The appropriation must manifest externally – for instance through sale, consumption, use as one’s own, or denying possession to the rightful owner.
Unlawfulness: The appropriation must be unlawful. A person who has a contractual right to retain or exploit the object does not act unlawfully.
Entrustment (para. 2): The qualified offence of embezzlement requires that the object was entrusted to the offender – that is, transferred on the basis of a special relationship of trust (loan, safekeeping, mandate).
Typical Methods of Commission
Misappropriation arises in practice through keeping a found object (finder’s misappropriation), failing to return borrowed items, private use of equipment or vehicles provided for professional purposes, retaining funds intended for another person, and selling objects given for safekeeping. Keeping goods received in error or an overpaid amount can also constitute misappropriation.
Sentencing Range
Simple misappropriation is punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine. Embezzlement of entrusted property (para. 2) carries imprisonment of up to five years or a fine. For low-value items, prosecution is only on application (Section 248a StGB). Misappropriation is a subsidiary catch-all offence: where theft or robbery is established, misappropriation is displaced.
Typical Defence Strategies
Defence against misappropriation charges frequently focuses on whether an appropriation actually took place. Simply forgetting to return an item or a misunderstanding about the right to use it does not constitute appropriation. It is further examined whether the accused may have had a right to possession – for instance based on a right of retention or a contractual agreement. In cases of finder’s misappropriation, it is relevant whether the finder fulfilled their obligations under Section 965 of the Civil Code. BAFTEH Strafverteidigung comprehensively analyses the facts and develops a defence strategy aimed at the best possible protection of the accused’s rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was unterscheidet Embezzlement von Theft?
Bei der Embezzlement (§ 246 StGB) befindet sich die Sache bereits im Gewahrsam des Täters; es fehlt die Wegnahme. Deshalb ist der Strafrahmen niedriger als beim Theft.
Ist ein Strafantrag erforderlich?
Bei geringwertigen Sachen sowie im Haus- und Familienkreis ist die Embezzlement nur auf Strafantrag verfolgbar (§§ 248a, 247 StGB).
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
Zentral sind die Zueignungsabsicht, die Eigentumslage und die Abgrenzung zur bloßen, straflosen Gebrauchsanmaßung.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Embezzlement? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Embezzlement requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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