No upskirting ads for the Devil's Wheel at Oktoberfest

The investigative authorities have become aware of several cases of so-called upskirting at the Oktoberfest in the past two years - but not a single one at the traditional "Devil's Wheel" ride. The Munich I public prosecutor's office received no corresponding reports in connection with the ride from the Oktoberfest in 2024 and 2025, the authority said upon request.

The media had specifically reported on alleged deals with voyeuristic upskirting videos from the “Devil’s Wheel”. According to this, thousands of videos have been produced, distributed on the Internet and sold in the past. Dirndl skirts almost inevitably fly up on the rotating disk - but anyone who deliberately films under the skirt is generally committing a criminal offense.

Not every recording of the devil's wheel is punishable

The public prosecutor's office explained that recordings of the "Devil's Wheel" with passengers were not a criminal offence. It could become relevant under criminal law if photographs show intimate body areas in a targeted and unauthorized manner.

According to the so-called upskirting paragraph, law enforcement authorities must be able to prove that the genitals, buttocks, female breasts or the underwear covering these body parts were intentionally or knowingly recorded. In addition to the recording, further evidence is required.

Those affected should file a criminal complaint

Among other things, the distribution of a recording could be punishable if it violates the personal rights of the person depicted. However, according to the public prosecutor's office, this requires a criminal complaint from the person concerned. Those affected should therefore definitely contact the law enforcement authorities.

The police also announced that the investigation would also take into account content on internet platforms and social media. Tips from private individuals about suspicious content would be examined and could lead to an investigation.

19 Oktoberfest cases of upskirting in 2024 and 2025

In total, the police submitted eight cases to the public prosecutor's office in 2024 due to possible violations of the so-called upskirting paragraph in the Criminal Code. Two were connected, so that seven investigations were conducted. In six cases, the public prosecutor's office applied for penal orders with fines, which were issued by the district court. The punishment orders are now legally binding. Another case was discontinued against payment of a fine in the low four-digit range.

In 2025, eleven cases were submitted. The public prosecutor's office applied for criminal orders in six cases, five of which are now legally binding. A case is still pending at the district court. Five further proceedings were discontinued due to insufficient evidence of the crime. In one case, the unknown perpetrator was not identified, and in three other cases it was not proven that photographs had actually been taken. In one case, according to the public prosecutor's office, the photo did not constitute a criminal offense.

None of the 19 cases from 2024 and 2025 were related to the “Devil’s Wheel”. The fines in the penalty orders issued ranged between 40 and 75 daily rates.

Videos on the Internet

Shortly before the start of the Oktoberfest, the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported that at least tens of thousands of clips of women on the devil's wheel were circulating on the Internet, in which underwear was repeatedly visible. According to further research by Bayerischer Rundfunk, actors from Bavaria and abroad are said to be behind it.

They therefore sell the videos at high prices or use them specifically to expand the reach of social media accounts. The most successful, now deleted, devil's wheel videos from these accounts had a total of several hundred million views, the BR recently reported.

Operator: “We just want a peaceful Oktoberfest”

The operators use various means to combat such practices. Signs warn in German and English: Upskirting is a criminal offense and will be reported. Cycling shorts will be given away free of charge to female visitors. The husband of one of the operators, Jan Polaczy, said recently that there have been hundreds of trousers since last year. “I condemn it, it’s sleaze,” he says about upskirting. But: “I can’t take everyone’s cell phone.”

Around 400 people fit into the arena of the “Devil’s Wheel” - there is constant change. You also can't control recordings on private cell phones. And: “I can’t explain to the grandfather that he doesn’t take photos of his granddaughter.”

Reports were filed with the public prosecutor's office twice, but the proceedings were discontinued. «We just want a peaceful Oktoberfest. That’s our business.” We're happy to do that - but this new development doesn't bring any joy.