Online Scams & Fraud in Sweden
Online scams and fraud have become a significant concern in Sweden, with a rising number of incidents reported in recent years. In fact, these types of crimes now account for approximately two-thirds of all fraud cases reported in the country. Furthermore, online scams represent around 13% of all reported crimes, highlighting the growing impact of this digital menace.
As technology advances and more people engage in online activities, criminals have adapted their tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals through various fraudulent schemes. Payment card fraud and identity fraud are some of the most common online scams in Sweden.
Join us on this journey as we reveal where you can report scams in Sweden, how to report online scams, and where you can get victim support.
Scam Statistics in Sweden
The key statistics on online fraud in Sweden, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 10.2 million | 10.3 million | 10.3 Million | 10.4 million |
| Internet Penetration | 94% | 96% | 93% | 92% |
| # of Scams | 155,000 | 145,333 | 131,254 | |
| Scams / 1,000 | 15 | 14 | 12.6 | |
| Money Lost | € 179 million | € 457 Million | ||
| Money Lost / Capita | € 17,34 | € 43.8 | ||
| Money Lost / Report | € 1,235 | € 3,481 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Sweden?
- The Swedish police (Polisen)- Report online scams and fraud to the police at their offices, via email, or online. You can also call 114 14 and if the crime is in progress, the general alarm number is 112.
- Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket)- File a complaint against any business or individual with unfair business practices such as misleading advertising, incorrect price information, and more.
How to Report a Scam in Sweden
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Sweden
The Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority (Brottsoffermyndigheten)- They not only provide support for victims of crime but also compensation. Damages paid by the offender, insurance payouts, and state-funded compensation for criminal injuries are the three types of compensation. You can reach out at 090–70 82 00 or online.
How to Check for a Scam in Sweden
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket)- Check here for consumer-related scams. They also offer tips and guidance to consumers.
- Finansinspektionen- You can check for investment scams as well as financial-related scams here.
Scam News From Sweden
Image source: unsplash.com
Report a Scam!
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
Scam Categories
Help & Info
Popular Stories
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the