Norwegian authorities conducted raids at five locations last week. The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime led the operation. One person was arrested and released the same day.
Police seized assets worth approximately 100 million Norwegian kroner. A woman who owns and manages the private healthcare company faces charges of serious fraud. The alleged fraud amounts to nearly 300 million kroner.
Two public hospitals reported the case to economic crime investigators. Nordland Hospital and University Hospital of North Norway alerted authorities about potential wrongdoing.
The investigation focuses on possible misuse of Norway's waiting list guarantee system. This system allows public hospitals to hire private providers when they cannot treat patients within deadline limits.
The private healthcare firm provided medical services to patients on behalf of multiple public hospitals.
Anne Allum, the public prosecutor, emphasized the seriousness of the case. "Fraud against public health schemes represents a severe breach of trust," she said in a statement. "It affects the state, healthcare workers, and the entire care industry."
Investigators will determine whether criminal acts occurred within the company. They will also examine if public systems were exploited for financial gain.
Norway's welfare state guarantees equal access to healthcare for all citizens. The model relies heavily on taxes from income, consumption, and wealth.
"Welfare crime impacts the public sector, businesses, and individuals," Allum explained. "It weakens trust in authorities and has both direct and indirect economic consequences."
This case highlights ongoing challenges in Norway's mixed public-private healthcare model. The system depends on private contractors when public capacity falls short, creating potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
Norwegian economic crime investigators continue their examination of the healthcare company's operations.