Major Fraud Case Verdict: 14 Suspects and 17 Million Kronor in Focus

14 suspects. 139 victims. 17 million kronor. Today, the verdict is expected in the major fraud case in Gothenburg.

14 individuals—ten men and four women—are charged with serious fraud, aggravated money laundering, and particularly aggravated assault.

From call centers in various countries, they are suspected of scamming elderly individuals out of large sums of money. Through lengthy calls, they tricked seniors into signing with Bank-ID, thereby approving transactions.

According to the indictment, the suspects swindled approximately 17 million kronor from 139 people, involving everything from gold, cash, and cryptocurrency to real estate and cars.

"This is well-organized international crime on a large scale," says senior prosecutor and lead investigator Petter Lundgren from the National Unit for International and Organized Crime, in connection with the indictment.

"Brutal and Ruthless Assault"

Two of the suspects, who prosecutors claim led the criminal activities, are also suspected of a particularly aggravated assault. The crime was allegedly committed against a caller at a call center to, according to Petter Lundgren, enforce work discipline at the center.

"It is a very brutal and ruthless assault that we believe occurs within one of the call centers to instill the very strict discipline that the leaders demand from the callers to continue the crime undetected," says Petter Lundgren.

Extensive Investigation

Since spring 2023, the Western Police Region has conducted extensive investigative work, mapping everything from money launderers, callers, and leaders who controlled the entire organization.

Today, the verdict will be delivered against the 14 suspects in the Gothenburg District Court.