After sending a request to state archives, journalists received the Stasi's documents, the outlet said. According to these documents, Scholz came to the attention of the Stasi after visiting East Germany through the Social Democratic Party of Germany's (SPD) youth wing.
According to the outlet, from 1978 to 1987, German foreign intelligence agents reported about Scholz's activities in the SPD's youth wing at least 19 times. Hamburg economist Kurt Wand, whose father worked for the Stasi, reported on Scholz's activities at least 12 times.
Some of these reports were shared with the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB).
Daniela Munkel, an employee of the Stasi archives, told Bild that the practice of sharing reports between intelligence agencies was common. She added that the Soviet Union had a strong interest in the political situation of West Germany, including activities of "young socialists".
Scholz commented on the outlet's publication by saying that he was aware of the spying.