Dagobert How the blackmailer Arno Funke fooled the police

 

**2. Confusing Ransom Deliveries**\

Funke began to develop elaborate methods for delivering the ransom. His instructions were incredibly creative and brought the police to the brink of despair: he had them go to dumpsters, subway shafts, and remote locations.The police were often deployed for hours with patrol cars and helicopters, yet Funke managed to escape without difficulty. **Chronology of Ransom Payments** 1. **May 18, 1992 – Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)**: After the first bomb, Funke instructed the police to deposit the ransom in a specific public trash can in a park. The officers followed his instructions, but Funke was able to pick up the money unnoticed while the police monitored from a safe distance. The trash cans were a perfect hiding place as they were frequently emptied, making it difficult to monitor them discreetly. 2. **June 30, 1992 – Alexanderplatz Subway Station**: In this handover, Funke told the police to place the ransom in a subway shaft. Alexanderplatz is one of the busiest train stations in Berlin, and the police had to leave the money package in one of the shafts. Funke took advantage of the crowd to access it unnoticed. The complexity of the handover and the difficulty of keeping an eye on the package amidst the hustle and bustle meant the police had no chance of catching Funke.He observed the scene from a safe distance and struck at the decisive moment. 3. **August 15, 1992 – Forest area near Berlin**: A particularly sophisticated handover took place in a remote forest area. Funke instructed the police to attach the money in a plastic bag to a specific tree. The wooded area was difficult to access, and the officers had to struggle through the underbrush for hours. Meanwhile, Funke used his local knowledge to lay false trails to confuse the police. He employed remote-controlled noises to lure the officers in different directions while he collected the money himself. This elaborate tactic resulted in the police standing empty-handed once again. 4. **October 10, 1992 – Wertheim Department Store**: In another spectacular method, Funke had the police deposit the money at a specific location, from where it was picked up by a small remote-controlled car.The vehicle moved effortlessly through narrow alleys and over rough terrain, leaving the police with no chance to pursue it. This technology completely surprised the investigators, as they had not anticipated such an innovative approach.

 

5. **January 20, 1993 – Open Field**: Even more extravagant was the handover in which Funke used a drone. This occurred at a time when drones were not yet widespread. The police were instructed to drop the money package in an open field, and Funke used the drone to retrieve the package from the air. The investigators were entirely unprepared for this technical tool and could not locate or track the drone in time. The combination of surprise and technical superiority once again gave Funke the upper hand.

 

6. **March 5, 1993 – Banks of the Spree**: At another handover, Funke instructed the police to throw the money into the Spree. He had meticulously analyzed the river's current beforehand and knew where the money package would wash ashore. The police deployed divers to search the river, but Funke had already taken the package unnoticed. This action once again demonstrated how thoroughly Funke prepared his plans and how precisely he exploited the circumstances.   7. **June 12, 1993 - Abandoned Train Tracks**: Once he demanded that the police deposit the money at an abandoned train track. He gave specific instructions on what signal the officers should give before they placed the money. The police waited for hours for the signal, but Funke changed the terms of the handover at the last minute and watched from a safe distance as the police waited in vain for him to appear. While the officers were left in the dark, Funke managed to secure the money package in a completely different location.   8. **September 30, 1993 - Industrial Area in Tempelhof**: This handover took place in an industrial area.Funke used the multitude of warehouses and trucks to confuse the police. He claimed that the money package was to be deposited in a specific warehouse, leading the police to search for hours for the correct location. While the investigators tried to search all the warehouses, Funke used an inconspicuous delivery van to take the money and disappear unnoticed.   9. **December 15, 1993 – Near a police station**: A particularly bold deception maneuver was the transfer he arranged right near a police station. Funke knew that the police would be especially vigilant at this location and took advantage of it. He placed several false clues that caused the officers to go in the wrong direction while he picked up the money package at another location. This action led to great frustration among the investigators as they could not grasp that Funke had operated so close to their location.   Funke also used the media by publishing clues through anonymous letters, further misleading the police.Once, he used a recorded tape with supposed ransom instructions that played in an endless loop, trapping the police in a labyrinth of conflicting clues. He even had the audacity to set up a handover right near a police station, just to lead the officers on a wild goose chase. These actions led to increasing despair among the investigators, who increasingly felt they were fighting against an overpowering opponent. Funke seemed to anticipate every one of their moves, allowing him to act in a way that he always escaped. The constant media coverage of the police's failures put even more pressure on the investigators and ensured that Funke was perceived as a legendary figure. There were even instances where passersby who happened to see Funke during one of his actions regarded him as a hero and gave no hints to the police.The support that Funke received from parts of the population also contributed to the investigations becoming increasingly difficult. Funke cleverly exploited these sympathies to repeatedly secure retreats and go underground. All these factors meant that the police were never able to catch him in time, and Funke further solidified his reputation as the man who escaped from the police. His precise instructions and skillful exploitation of weaknesses in police logistics made him a constant annoyance for the investigators. One of the first handovers took place in a public trash can. Funke instructed the police to deposit the money in a specific trash can located in a park. The officers followed his instructions, but Funke managed to collect the money unnoticed while the police monitored from a safe distance.The garbage bins were a perfect hiding place, as they were often emptied and difficult to monitor discreetly. During another handover in 1993, Funke instructed the police to deposit the ransom in a subway shaft. He chose Alexanderplatz station, which was one of the busiest stations in Berlin. The police had to place the money package in one of the shafts, and Funke used the crowd to access it unnoticed. The complexity of the handover and the difficulty of keeping track of the package amidst the hustle and bustle meant the police had no chance of catching Funke. He observed the scene from a safe distance and struck at the crucial moment. A particularly sophisticated handover took place in a remote forest area. Funke instructed the police to attach the money in a plastic bag to a specific tree.The woodland area was difficult to access, and the officers had to struggle through the underbrush for hours. Meanwhile, Funke used his knowledge of the area to lay false trails to confuse the police. He utilized remote-controlled sounds to lure the officers in different directions while he picked up the money himself. This elaborate tactic caused the police to once again be left empty-handed. Another spectacular method used by Funke was the deployment of a remote-controlled vehicle. During a ransom delivery, he had the police leave the money at a specific location, from where it was picked up by a small, remote-controlled car. The vehicle moved effortlessly through narrow alleys and over rough terrain, leaving the police with no chance to pursue it.This technology completely surprised the investigators, as they had not expected such an innovative approach. Even more extravagant was the delivery in which Funke used a drone. This happened at a time when drones were not yet widely used. The police were supposed to drop the money package in an open field, and Funke used the drone to grab the package from the air. The investigators were completely unprepared for this technical aid and could not locate or track the drone in time. The combination of surprise and technical superiority gave Funke the upper hand once again. In another delivery, Funke instructed the police to throw the money into a river. He had thoroughly analyzed the river's current in advance and knew where the money package would wash ashore.The police deployed divers to search the river, but Funke had already taken the package unnoticed. This action once again demonstrated how thoroughly Funke prepared his plans and how precisely he exploited the circumstances. Once, he demanded that the police deposit the money at an abandoned railway track. He gave exact instructions on what signal the officers should give before they placed the money down. The police waited for hours for the signal, but Funke changed the transfer conditions at the last minute and observed from a safe distance as the police waited in vain for his appearance. While the officers stood in the dark, Funke managed to secure the money package at a completely different location. Another handover took place in an industrial area. Funke used the numerous warehouses and trucks to confuse the police.He claimed that the money package should be deposited in a specific warehouse and kept the police searching for the right warehouse for hours. While the investigators tried to search all the storage halls, Funke used an inconspicuous delivery van to take the money for himself and disappear unnoticed. A particularly brazen deception was the handover he orchestrated right near a police station. Funke knew that the police would be especially vigilant at that location and used this to his advantage. He planted several false clues that led the officers to go in the wrong direction while he picked up the money package elsewhere. This action led to great despair among the investigators, as they could not comprehend that Funke had operated so close to their location. Funke also exploited the media by publishing clues through anonymous letters that further misled the police. At one point, he used a recorded tape with supposed ransom instructions that played on a loop, trapping the police in a web of contradictory clues.He even had the audacity to schedule a handover right near a police station, just to lead the officers on a wild goose chase. These actions led to increasing despair among the investigators, who increasingly felt they were fighting against an overpowering opponent. Funke seemed to foresee their every move and was able to act in a way that he always escaped them. The constant media coverage of the police's failures put even more pressure on the investigators and contributed to Funke being perceived as a legendary figure. There were even instances where passersby who happened to see Funke during one of his actions regarded him as a hero and didn’t provide any tips to the police. The support Funke received from parts of the population also made the investigation increasingly difficult.Funke skillfully exploited these sympathies to repeatedly create havens for himself and go underground. All these factors contributed to the police never being able to catch him in time, and Funke further solidified his reputation as the man who escaped the police. Funke cleverly took advantage of this dynamic by continually finding new and unconventional hiding places for the ransom. During one handover, he had the money picked up by a remote-controlled vehicle that navigated effortlessly through narrow alleys and rough terrain, leaving the police with no chance of pursuing it. On another occasion, he used a drone to retrieve the money package, which completely caught the police off guard, as this technology was not yet widespread at the time. These innovations repeatedly gave Funke crucial advantages and increased the respect and frustration of the investigators.The police tried to combat these deceptive maneuvers with even greater effort and technical support, but this rarely achieved success. Funke mastered the art of creating distractions by spreading false leads that kept the police occupied for hours, allowing him to pursue his plans undisturbed. The police, often finding themselves in hopeless situations, had to mobilize more and more resources to thwart Funke's cunning maneuvers. The complexity of his demands and the ability to push the police to their limits made him a unique adversary. Once, Funke led the police to believe that a handover would take place in a busy location, only to change the coordinates at the last minute and direct them to a remote area where he could quietly collect the money. These constant twists and his ability to openly mock the police made him a kind of phantom that the investigators could never quite catch.Funke also utilized the media by publishing clues through anonymous letters that misled the police even further. All these tactics ensured that Funke repeatedly escaped and kept the police constantly on the move, without ever getting one step closer. Additionally, Funke developed increasingly complex deception maneuvers that not only strained the police's resources but also weakened their morale. During one exchange, he instructed the police to wait for a signal at an abandoned railway track, only to leave them standing in the cold for hours while he was already far away. On another occasion, he pretended to deposit the ransom in a river, forcing the police to conduct a laborious and fruitless search with divers. He even employed false trailblazers that misled the investigators and caused them to cordon off entire neighborhoods.Funke enjoyed misleading the police time and again, and the public watched these humiliations of the investigators with fascination. His deceptive maneuvers became increasingly sophisticated: Once, he used a recorded tape with supposed ransom instructions that played on a loop, trapping the police in a labyrinth of contradictory clues. He even had the audacity to arrange a handover right near a police station, just to lead the officers on a wild goose chase. These actions led to greater despair among the investigators, who increasingly felt they were fighting against a formidable opponent. Funke seemed to anticipate their every move and was able to act in a way that allowed him to always escape. The constant media coverage of the police's failures put even more pressure on the investigators and ensured that Funke was perceived as a legendary figure.There were even instances where passersby, who coincidentally saw Funke during one of his actions, regarded him as a hero and did not provide any information to the police. The support Funke received from parts of the population also contributed to making the investigations increasingly difficult. Funke cleverly exploited this sympathy to create escape routes for himself and go underground repeatedly. All these factors ensured that the police were never able to catch him in time, further solidifying Funke's reputation as the man who escaped the police. **3. The Game with the Police** Arno Funke constructed sophisticated mechanisms to deceive the police. One of his most famous traps was the so-called "rat trap." This was a device designed to ensure that money packages fell into the sewer as soon as someone tried to retrieve them. Funke left nothing to chance and provided the police with precise instructions for the money transfer, which, however, never worked because he never picked up the money directly.Instead, he observed the actions of the police from a safe distance, analyzed their approach, and used the information gained to make his next steps even more cunning. This constant adaptation and the fact that he was always one step ahead made him one of the cleverest opponents the police had ever faced. Funke demonstrated an impressive combination of technical knowledge, creativity, and patience. He was willing to wait a long time for the right moment and knew exactly how to manipulate the police to outsmart them repeatedly. This patience and precision allowed him to execute his plans perfectly, which regularly drove the investigators to despair. Funke always seemed to know where the police were planning their next moves and acted accordingly. **4. Second Bomb (1993)** A year after his first crime, Funke placed another bomb in a department store.The second bomb also exploded, but without greater consequences. The police, who were conducting large-scale investigations, continued to be in the dark. Funke left no traces that could lead to his identification. The second bomb indicated that Funke was willing to increase the risk to enforce his demands. This escalation of his approach further pressured the police, as they now had to prove that they were capable of ensuring public safety. The investigators faced the challenge of confronting an opponent who was not only technologically savvy but also extremely determined.The increasing despair of the investigators was reflected in their actions as they tried to search for clues even more intensively, but Funke knew exactly how to disguise his identity. The police intensified their surveillance and used advanced technologies to capture Funke, but he was always one step ahead of them. **5. Media Attention and the Nickname "Dagobert"** Funke was given the nickname "Dagobert" by the media, based on the comic character Scrooge McDuck, known for his cunning and love of money. The press coverage made him famous and put further pressure on the police. His ability to continuously outsmart the police gave him an almost mythical aura. The population followed the events with a mix of fascination and horror. Dagobert became a veritable cult figure, symbolizing the struggle of the individual against the system.Funke knew how to use media attention to his advantage and influence public opinion. His popularity further complicated the police's work, as more and more people viewed him as a kind of antihero. The media contributed to portraying Funke as a modern Robin Hood, even though his actions were by no means heroic. Public perception played a significant role in this cat-and-mouse game, and Funke cleverly exploited this to secure his advantage. The pressure from public opinion also meant that investigators were under intense scrutiny and had to constantly justify their failures. Funke's popularity continued to grow, and the media portrayal significantly contributed to his story being seen by many as a heroic struggle against the establishment. **6. Months of the Chase** For almost two years, Funke repeatedly managed to escape from the police.Despite massive surveillance, extensive search operations, and elaborate police actions, the investigators were powerless. Funke used his technical skills to cover his tracks and obscure his identity. His crime spree became a real challenge for law enforcement. The police employed all available means, including modern surveillance techniques, but Funke was always one step ahead. He devised complex diversion tactics to mislead the investigators and used modern communication methods to remain unnoticed. The effort Funke put in was enormous, yet his plans were so well thought out that he consistently escaped successfully.The investigators had to watch as Funke slipped away from them time and again despite all their efforts. The increasing pressure led to an intensive collaboration among different police units, but even these combined forces could not initially stop Funke. The police began to employ new technologies and relied on analyzing the smallest details to discover a mistake made by Funke. The months-long hunt drained the investigators, who pursued every new lead with great hope, only to be disappointed time and again. Funke skillfully exploited modern technology, obscured his communication, and ensured that he always remained undetected. The investigators intensified their efforts, worked closely with technical experts, and utilized every available resource, but Funke always seemed to be one step ahead. **7. Spectacular ransom delivery on rails (1994)** A particularly spectacular episode occurred in 1994 when the police prepared a ransom delivery on a moving train.Funke had ordered that the money should be deposited on a specific train. In a dramatic game of cat and mouse, the police tried to catch him, but Funke escaped once again. He watched the police operation from a safe distance and decided not to intervene. This episode was further proof of Funke's strategic planning and his extraordinary talent for improvisation. The fact that he could make the police carry out such elaborate operations showed how much he controlled the situation. The investigators had to realize that they were dealing with an opponent who was consistently superior to them. The police planning was meticulous, but Funke knew their weaknesses and seized every opportunity to escape from them. The episode of the money transfer on the tracks became a symbol of Funke's superiority and his ability to deceive the police time and again. Funke had manipulated the police to the point that they complied with his conditions, highlighting his tactical success. The use of trains and constant movement made the situation extremely difficult for the police, and Funke knew exactly how to exploit this challenge to his advantage.

 

**8. The Arrest (1994)**\

After almost two years of intense investigations and over 30 unsuccessful ransom deliveries, Arno Funke was finally arrested in a night operation. An unremarkable suspicion from a department store employee ultimately led to the crucial lead. Funke was arrested and convicted of extortion and aggravated arson.The arrest itself was the result of months of observation and intense investigative work. The police had finally found the weak point they needed to catch Funke. The arrest was a spectacular highlight for the public, as many did not believe that it would ever be possible to apprehend Dagobert. The moment of the arrest demonstrated that even the cleverest criminal makes mistakes eventually that can bring them down. The relief among the investigators was great, as the long chase had finally come to an end. The public reacted divided – while some celebrated his arrest, others continued to see Funke as a fascinating figure who had managed to outsmart the system for a long time.Funke was cooperative during his arrest and made extensive confessions in the subsequent interrogations. This contributed to many people continuing to see him as a kind of tragic hero, who evoked a certain sympathy despite his actions. **9. The Trial and the Verdict** The trial against Arno Funke began in 1994 and attracted significant media interest. The prosecution accused him of serious extortion, arson, and endangering lives. Funke expressed remorse during the trial and emphasized that he never intended to seriously harm anyone. The court took into account his extensive confessions and his cooperation with the investigative authorities after the arrest. Ultimately, he was sentenced to a multi-year prison term of seven years. The judge emphasized in her reasoning that while Funke demonstrated extraordinary technical skill, his actions endangered the lives of many people and caused great fear.The punishment should also serve as a signal that such actions cannot go without serious consequences. During the trial, it became clear how aware Funke was of the consequences of his actions. His remorse and acknowledgment of his mistakes were recognized by the court, but the severity of his actions demanded a significant penalty. The verdict was also a warning to all those who might harbor similar plans. The trial revealed not only the sophistication of his actions but also the strains the police endured during the months-long pursuit. Funke's confessions and his willingness to cooperate with the investigators mitigated his sentence, but the symbolic significance of the case could not be underestimated.The trial dragged on for several months and was accompanied by intense media coverage. Many people followed the course of the trial, and public opinion was divided over the verdict. Some considered the punishment too lenient, while others praised Funke for his cooperation. **10. The Aftermath** Arno Funke was sentenced to several years in prison. However, after his release, he became a cult figure. His technical skills, his sharp wit, and his almost playful dealings with the police made him a legendary figure in the public eye. Today, he is regarded as one of the most famous extortionists in post-war German history.Many saw him as a kind of tragic hero who challenged the system while crossing his own boundaries. Funke used his popularity after his imprisonment to build a new life. He published books and even appeared on television, where he talked about his experiences. His story illustrates how thin the line can be between criminality and cult status, and how public perception can transform a person from a criminal to a popular figure. The aftermath of his case was also reflected in police work, which was forced to develop new methods and rethink its strategies due to this case. Despite his actions, Funke himself remained a charismatic personality for many, possessing the courage to fight against the system.His story is an example of how much public opinion can be shaped by media and personal views, and how a criminal can become a kind of anti-hero. After his release from prison, Funke appeared in various media formats, told his story, and also critically reflected on his actions. This further contributed to him being perceived as a fascinating figure in the public eye. His books and television appearances continued to make him well-known and ensured that his story did not fade into obscurity. The story of Dagobert, alias Arno Funke, shows how creativity and technical knowledge can pose seemingly unsolvable problems for law enforcement. Funke was punished for his crimes, but his clever game with the police remains unforgettable to this day. The combination of strategic thinking, technical finesse, and the ability to influence public opinion makes his story unique.Even though his actions were undoubtedly criminal, the fascination with his cat-and-mouse game with the police persists. The long chase, the complex plans, and the unpredictable twists of this story remain a symbol of the challenges modern crime can pose to law enforcement today. Funke's story also teaches us how far people can go to assert themselves against the system, and how media and public opinion can cast a criminal in a completely different light.