Prosecutors have searched premises at VW's headquarters in Germany as part of their criminal inquiry into the firm's emissions scandal.
The raids were carried out in Wolfsburg and at a number of other locations.
Officials said they were targeting information relating to the creation of the company's diesel engine software - designed to cheat emissions-testing.
In a statement announcing the raids, the prosecutors said the aim of the searches was to "secure documents and data storage devices" that could identify those involved.
VW has suspended four members of staff over the affair, which is set to lead to 11 million VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda vehicles being recalled worldwide in a process that could last until late next year.
There are 1.2 million vehicles affected in the UK.
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The company's new chief executive Matthias Mueller said earlier this week that VW, which has already set aside €6.5bn to cover the costs of the scandal, was reviewing all its investment plans.
It is believed that recalls and potential legal action by regulators and car owners will raise that figure by a significant margin.
The bill is also likely to be exacerbated by falling sales as customers are expected to shy away from the manufacturer.

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