A remarkable case in Leipzig is causing a stir. According to German police, a Syrian man is said to have at least three wives and no fewer than 32 children. As if this enormous family weren’t already incredible enough, much of it is known to the police and judicial authorities.
According to authorities, the family members are jointly implicated in over one hundred recorded crimes. At the same time, a family of this size is entitled to substantial child benefits in Germany. However, the actual amount of these benefits is unknown.
Three women and 32 children.
The man belongs to a Syrian family in Leipzig with more than sixty members. According to German authorities, the family comes from an area known for clan and gang-related crime.
According to Islamic law, the father is said to have been married to at least three women and had at least 32 children. Meanwhile, the family is also said to have at least 25 grandchildren living in the German state of Saxony.
This makes it an exceptionally large family.
However, above all, the combination of social benefits and crime complicates the case.
How much child benefit can a family like this receive?
In Germany, according to available information, child benefit has been 259 euros per child per month since January 2026.
If all 32 children were eligible, the calculation would result in the following:
32 × 259 euros = 8,288 euros per month.
Extrapolated over a year, that would be almost 100,000 euros.
However, there is an important caveat: some of the 32 children are now adults. It is not publicly known how many children are currently eligible for child benefits.
Therefore, it is incorrect to state that the family actually receives 8,288 euros per month. The real amount could be significantly lower.
In Germany, however, child benefits can continue to be paid after the age of 18 under certain conditions, for example if the child is completing an apprenticeship.
Nearly two-thirds of the family members are known criminals.
Even more alarming are the figures published by the German police regarding this family.
According to LKA chief Raiko Märtins, nearly two-thirds of the closest relatives have already been in contact with the authorities due to criminal activity. Some relatives were reportedly searched multiple times.
According to him, the total number of crimes recorded within the family is in the three-digit range.
Furthermore, these are not merely minor offenses, according to reports. Authorities say some family members have been linked to serious violent and drug-related crimes.
At the same time, the police emphasize that not all members of the family are criminals. There are also family members who are not known for criminal activity.