In June, reported scams against the elderly and people with disabilities decreased by 17 percent compared to May, and four percent compared to June 2024, according to a fresh status report from the police.
Reports of telephone scams or "vishing", which often target the elderly, decreased by 20 percent in June compared to May. The profits from that type of scam have decreased by 41 percent since June last year.
It should be said that it is from a high level, but we still see that the curves are sloping downward since February. There, we think that the efforts made still have an effect, says Lotta Mauritzson, who is a coordinator at the police's national fraud center.
"A lot is happening"
It's about a concerted effort from several directions, according to Lotta Mauritzson. Partly from the police, but also from telecommunications operators and banks, which have taken measures that make scams more difficult.
The banks have previously been criticized for how quickly and easily it has been to transfer large sums of money between accounts, but now they are working in the right direction, even if there is a bit left, thinks Mauritzson.
It happens much more often that we see that they have stopped money, or certain parts of what the perpetrators have tried to get. A lot is happening with account closures, restrictions and Swish.
But it's still a large and very lucrative industry.
We must continue to focus on these issues. This is also an important part in the fight against shootings and bombings that have a major impact on society. The scams are a part of the criminal environment, says Lotta Mauritzson.
Luring with stocks
At the same time, other types of scams are also becoming more common. Earlier this year, the police warned of an increase in gold scams - when a victim is tricked into handing over jewelry and valuables.
Last month, for example, investment scams increased - when victims are tricked into "investing" money in fictitious or worthless companies.
It's also a crime category that has a slightly older target group. Previously, it has been very much bitcoin or other cryptocurrency that one has lured with. Now we see a tendency that it is more unlisted stocks that one should invest in, says Lotta Mauritzson.
