Fraud continues to increase in Sweden. In 2023 alone, over 238,000 frauds were reported to the police.
The total profits from crime for the criminal fraudsters amounted to a whopping SEK 7.5 billion in 2023.
One of the most vulnerable groups is the elderly and pensioners, who often fall prey to fraudsters’ cunning tricks. Now a certain type of fraud directed at the elderly has started to happen to an increasingly large extent.
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Photo: Caisa Rasmussen / TTDB Schenker warns customers of fraud
Recently, the names of companies, banks and authorities have been used by fraudsters to try to convince and deceive unsuspecting private individuals.
Last in line of all companies is DB Schenker, whose name is now being used to try to scam people out of money.
Through bogus e-mails and bogus text messages, they try to trick people into believing that money transfers from online buying and selling services are handled by DB Schenker.
It should then be clear that if a payment is made, deliveries will be made afterwards, something the company has now warned about as they never ask for bank details via SMS or email.
READ MORE: DB Schenker’s warning to all customers
Police warn the public about fraudsters
However, it is not only companies that warn their customers. Even the police recently went out and warned the public about ad scammers on buying and selling sites.
“In recent days, reports have increased to the police in the Stockholm region where fraudsters contact sellers on buying and selling sites and say they want the item delivered to a box,” they wrote on their website.
The fraud then involves sellers being asked to send goods to a specific post box. A link is then sent to the seller where the shipment should be registered, but the link is actually a scam page controlled by the fraudster. There, the private person must provide private information and account details.
READ MORE: Police warn: Watch out for new scam – changing every day
Scams on the Rise – It’s “Physical Vishing”
Another form of fraud that is also increasing right now is so-called physical vishing, which is primarily aimed at the elderly.
It is a form of fraud where criminals first contact their victims by calling in order to gain access to sensitive and personal information. Often they can inform that something serious has happened and that the fraudster informs that valuables must be secured, and that someone will come to the victim’s home to help.
Instead, the criminal companion enters the home of the elderly and takes everything from jewellery, bank cards, codes and other valuables.
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The police’s new warning: Fraud against the elderly is increasing
In an interview with TV4 tells Lotta Mauritzsonwho works as a crime prevention officer at the national fraud center at the police, that the form of fraud is on the rise – and targeted specifically at the elderly.
– We see a number of cases every month. During the spring, we had a slightly lower level where we are at approximately 100 notifications per month. These are fragile people who are hit very hard when it happens. During the middle of August, we already have 100 registrations, so there is an increase now.
And those who are exposed to physical vishing are hit hard by the incident when it subsequently dawns on them that valuables and large sums have been lost in a fraud.
– Many feel very, very badly. Often it is the old ones that do not have such a large network around them. Some have instead closed themselves off after being exposed to this as they don’t dare anymore. It is terrible how our oldest people in society are attacked, explains Mauritzson.
If you receive a phone call asking you to hand over valuables, it is very likely a fraud attempt. Then you should keep three things in mind:
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