Aggravated and attempted fraud is increasing. In the first half of this year, the police recorded 150 cases more than last year, and the total number recorded is close to one thousand.
Last year, various types of fraud accounted for some 15 per cent off all criminal offences. This year, however, the total number of fraud cases has slightly decreased.
“The best way to prevent these offences is to disseminate correct information about fraud-related phenomena. However, the types of fraud are continuously changing and scams are becoming more and more difficult to detect,” says Chief Superintendent Jyrki Aho of the National Police Board.
The almost 31,000 cases of fraud reported to the police last year include a wide range of offences. This type of crime is a problem not only in Finland but worldwide.
“We can expect new methods of fraud to emerge and the problem will continue to grow,” says Aho.
Cases of fraud involving fake police officers still common
2017 was a challenging year in terms of offences involving fake police officers. At the end of the year, the number of crime reports recorded, related to this problem, totalled around 1,000, with massive property damage being caused. The issue was discussed frequently and received extensive media coverage.
“These crimes have continued this year. At the end of July, the total number of crimes recorded involving a fake police officer was 259, and in 50 of the cases the crime was successfully perpetrated. The damage is significant, around EUR 375,000. The police and banks have managed to stop criminal transfers worth more than EUR 211,000,” says Aho.
Various types of Nigerian e-mail scam
According to Aho, various types of so-called Nigerian e-mail scams still cause the greatest criminal damage. The e-mails involved promises of easy access to huge sums of money, originating for example from the conflict in Syria.
“Criminal activity is continuously changing with respect to other forms of e-mail scam, too, including fake love affairs, investment fraud and phishing targeted at companies. Stolen identities of private citizens and businesses are often involved,” says Aho.
Fraud must be reported
Fraud-related crime figures are high worldwide. However, it is estimated that only around 20 percent of such crimes are reported to the police.
“The fact that people are afraid to discuss these scams and report them does not help to reveal or prevent them. Young adults aged 20 to 29 most often report such cases, while the elderly are least likely to report them. However, the criminal damage caused to young adults is smaller, in relative terms, than that caused to the elderly,” says Aho.
He emphasises that all types of fraud, scam and attempted fraud must be reported to the police.
Prevention in cooperation
According to Aho, the police, the financial sector and various other parties convene from time to time to consider what can be done and how best to prevent fraud.
“Criminal marketing has grown and fake sites on the Internet are highly credible. Then again, as many banks have become more vigilant, they have successfully prevented crime.”
Aho draws attention to up-to-date information on fraud and the forms it may take as the best way for citizens to avoid scams.
Information on protection against crime as part of everyday activities
Together with stakeholders, the police have enhanced their communications to prevent crime, targeting information at sections of society such as the elderly.
“The best way to get this important message through would be to inform them as part of their everyday activities, for example. For instance, while doing physical exercise, the elderly could be reminded of how important it is not to disclose their bank details to anyone,” says Aho.
More information is available on the police website atwww.poliisi.fi, and the www.huijausinfo.fi site of the Consumers’ Union of Finland.
