Collusive Bidding / Bidding Fraud

Submitting a bid during a competitive tendering process or competition, which is based on unlawful collusion (between two or more bidders) and aimed at causing the organizer to accept a particular bid and excluding competition. Under § 298 of the Penal Code [StGB], this constitutes “collusion to restrict competition,” which is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years. Participation in unlawful collusion is sufficient for penal liability.