Police in Finnish Lapland suspect a reindeer owner of attempted fraud. The herder reported 13 reindeer killed by predators in May. Authorities now believe the scenes were deliberately staged.
Rural officials inspected the alleged attack sites last spring. They found each location appeared to show predator kills. Police say the evidence was fabricated using body parts from elsewhere.
No actual predator tracks were discovered at any site. The reindeer remains consisted of loose pelts and limbs brought to the locations.
Rural authorities alerted police after their inspection raised suspicions. The case involves an attempted insurance fraud worth approximately €20,000. No compensation was paid because officials rejected the claim.
The reindeer owner has denied committing any crime. Police completed their preliminary investigation and forwarded the case for prosecution consideration.
Reindeer herding represents both cultural tradition and major industry in Lapland. Insurance claims for predator attacks are common in the region. This case highlights the economic pressures facing herders, though attempted fraud remains rare.
Investigators noted the elaborate nature of the staging required significant effort. The attempt ultimately failed due to thorough field inspection by authorities.