In August, an outwardly successful business couple in Norrköping was convicted of gross fraud and serious money laundering. According to the verdict, the couple defrauded 15 people, mainly the disabled and the elderly, of more than SEK 11 million. The background to the fraud was that the man owed himself to criminal gangs.
Threatened to harm the couple’s child
In the police interrogation, the woman told how the family had been threatened, abused and blackmailed – mainly by a man who was singled out as the main driver of the blackmail.
That man is now charged with blackmailing the business couple through threats, violence and assault. According to the indictment, he caused the couple to transfer money and other property valued at over SEK 10 million. The abuse and threats must have gone on for a long time. Several of the threats are said to have been made via written notes, where it was stated, for example, that he should “gouge out the eyes of their children”.
– My client has not extorted any money from himself. On the other hand, these people have owed my client money, so it has been completely legal claims that he had on them, says lawyer Filip Rydin.
Moved into the villa
The man’s wife is also charged with a serious money laundering crime together with her husband. They have been living in the business couple’s previous villa for two years – which, according to the indictment, they have not paid for. The couple is suspected of having drawn up false debt and purchase deeds, in order to hide that the man forced himself on the property through violence and threats of violence.
Be a crime prevention recreation leader
The accused man has previously worked as a recreation manager in Linköping and had several projects to prevent crime among young people – something he said “was a cover” according to the woman in the business couple. The accused has received a lot of attention for some of the efforts for which he has also been praised.
– I have no comment on that, as it is not covered by my defense, says lawyer Filip Rydin.
Threaded coupling
Another man, who is a member of the Hells Angels, is charged with helping with the extortion. The man and the Hells Angels member allegedly drove the businessman out into the countryside and beat him. The Hells Angels member’s presence must have been of importance to the seriousness of the act, as he is considered to possess a significant capital of violence.