The criminal profits from fraud are increasing like an avalanche and landed last year at SEK 5.8 billion – despite the fact that fewer and fewer frauds are reported. This shows statistics from the police that TV4 Nyheterna has seen.
– When we are affected, then they place the entire blame on us, says Per Sundgren, 79, one of those who have been exposed.
One August evening last year, 79-year-old Per Sundgren was cooking dinner in his apartment in Stockholm when the phone rang. An hour later, he and his wife had lost 132,000 kroner.
– When she has spoken to him for an hour or so, he says: “Maybe I can speak to your husband too”. Then I pick up the phone, and at that point I am convinced that I have a security expert from Nordea on the line.
Per Sundgren is far from alone. Last year, the police received 193,000 reports of fraud against private individuals.
Generates more money than the drug trade
Although fraud reports are decreasing, the fraudsters are swindling ever larger sums. This is according to a new report from the police’s national fraud center (NBC), which TV4 Nyheterna has seen.
Since 2020, the proceeds of crime have increased by 38 percent, last year the sum for the proceeds of crime through fraud was SEK 5.8 billion.
The money goes straight into organized crime. At the same time, it means that criminals earn more from fraud than the lucrative drug trade.
– Calculations of how much the criminal networks earn from the drug trade in Sweden annually, i.e. how much is left after they have paid all the middlemen. It’s about two billion, says Charlotta Mauritzson at NBC.
“The banks are failing us”
Per Sundgren reported the fraud to the police, but the money is gone. He is now most disappointed with the banks.
– When we are affected now, then they put the entire blame on us. They are the ones who have not protected our money, he says.