Minister Demands Accountability from Nordea After Shocking Double Life Revelation

When the husband of a mother of two, Erik, takes his own life, the extent of his double life is revealed. Now, Equality Minister Nina Larsson reacts to her situation.

Preschool teacher and mother of two, 'Lina', was unaware of her husband 'Erik's' double life—filled with manipulation, lies, and million-dollar dealings with criminals, as previously reported by Expressen in an investigative piece.

"Being hunted by authorities or criminals... What is really worse?" she says in the report.

'Lina' is a pseudonym, as is her ex-husband 'Erik'. She wishes to remain anonymous to protect her children.

Her story of 'Erik's' long-term psychological, physical, and economic abuse has exposed flaws in society's protection for women in vulnerable situations.

"When a woman asks for help, measures must be taken immediately, because it's so hard to leave. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just don't want any other woman to have to go through what I have," she says in the report.

Equality Minister Nina Larsson (L) now reacts strongly to Expressen's report:

"I am deeply moved and at the same time angry."

She continues:

"'Lina' has acted to protect herself, her children, and her mother, while society's most important safety net has failed around her. It's completely deplorable."

In Sweden, she emphasizes, society should stand on the victim's side—not the perpetrator's.

"We have toughened penalties for crimes against women and will introduce entirely new legislation against psychological violence that could result in years-long prison sentences. The work against economic violence in close relationships has long been neglected—something we are now actively working to change."

In addition to being pursued by the Enforcement Authority due to debts left by 'Erik', 'Lina' is now in the midst of another battle. This time against the major bank Nordea, after 'Erik' took out millions in loans by forging her signature.

'Lina' and her lawyer are now trying to get Nordea to repay the million-dollar loans allegedly taken in her name without her knowledge.

"I want my justice, for those who enabled his criminality to acknowledge their guilt in this."

"So far, Nordea has not shown that they want to take responsibility for anything," continues 'Lina'.

Several authorities, including the Employment Service, the Social Insurance Agency, and the Consumer Agency, have been tasked by the government to strengthen efforts against economic violence under the leadership of the Equality Authority. The focus is on increasing knowledge, detecting warning signs early, and acting faster.

"But much more needs to be done—and I rule out no measures to tackle men who exploit the system to economically terrorize partners and children," says Nina Larsson.

"Top Priority"

Since July 1 this year, the judiciary can take extra account of the victim being in a defenseless situation compared to the perpetrator. At the EU level, work is also underway to ensure that banks take responsibility and that those affected can receive compensation.

Major banks, emphasizes Equality Minister Nina Larsson, should have clear routines against fraud.

"For me, it is a given that a major bank should have well-established routines against fraud, such as forged signatures, and take urgent measures when something goes wrong that causes an individual to suffer."

In an email response, Nordea's press communicator Hugo Laigar writes:

"It seems obvious that 'Lina' has been subjected to criminal acts, which we deeply regret. Nordea has conducted thorough investigations in this case and involved the Customer Ombudsman on several occasions. The additional loans taken in the mid-2010s that 'Lina' questions, where her husband was the borrower, have been covered by these internal investigations."

After 'Erik's' death, 'Lina' discovered that he had watch dealings with a former bank manager at Nordea. And that 'Erik', when he died, had a debt to the same bank manager of over 2.5 million kronor.

Nordea, which previously responded that it does not comment on individual personnel matters, now writes:

"Nordea cannot determine, based on the information available, whether the contacts between the deceased husband and the Nordea employee were of an inappropriate nature. Nordea's view is that it would be best if the matter is decided in court."