Finnish police warns of an increase in online fraud

National Police Board Chief Superintendent Jyrki Aho says that fraud-like online crimes, for example, payment frauds are increasing in Finland. Rushing, carelessness and cheap prices are, according to the institution, the main reasons why buyers fall into swindlers traps.

In 2017, the police registered 12,113 reports of offence for payment frauds. The number was nearly the same in 2018. However, in 2019, the number is increasing, as the Finnish Police warns on a press release.

“This year, the police has registered 3,468 reports of offence classified as online fraud. The number has grown by nearly 250 compared to the previous year. Most reports concern frauds and petty frauds,” Aho explains. In 2018, the police recorded nearly 31,000 reports of fraud crime.

According to Aho, it’s mostly a question of fraud happening via email or by text messages. “A person has received an interesting message. They click the attachment and provide their payment card and online banking information. Incentives can be, for example, great offers and competitions,” Aho describes.

Monthly charges

When making the decision and thinking about the possible risk, the costs seem small. Later, perhaps even after a long time, you notice that your payment card has been charged monthly. Over time, the scammed amount of money has become high as account details have not been checked.

Every once in a while, criminals also get payment card details through security breaches or by using machines that copy card information, says the Police.

Check your account details regularly

“Many of these frauds would be revealed sooner and the damage would be smaller if people looked at their accounts more often,” Aho says.

Internet creates an ever-increasing opportunity for criminals, as it does not have national borders. “It’s possible to reach a large number of people quite easily with these fake messages. Victims are often people who do not know they should watch out. This is why it’s important to talk about these things, but in a manner that educates instead of scares,” Aho says.

According to Aho, "we must still focus on the unfortunate problem of the past years that is the fake police crimes aimed at older people. Sadly, they still exist, even though the phenomenon has been widely discussed in the public".