Swedish police are issuing a stark warning after a new wave of sophisticated scams has hit the Gothenburg and Borås regions. The scheme involves fraudsters calling victims, claiming the person has already been targeted by a scam, and then sending a courier to collect their bank cards and codes. In one case this week, a woman in Gothenburg was tricked out of over 100,000 Swedish kronor.
This is not a random crime of opportunity. It is a calculated psychological attack. The scammer's first move is to create a state of panic and urgency. They tell you that you are already a victim. Your accounts are compromised. Money is disappearing right now. This immediate threat hijacks logical thinking. The natural human response is to seek help from the apparent authority figure on the phone—the very person orchestrating the crime.
"By creating the impression that it is urgent and keeping the phone call going, the suspected perpetrators are believed to want to reduce the opportunities for the victim to check the truth of the claims and sound the alarm," police said in a statement. The caller maintains constant pressure, talking over questions, and insisting that the only way to 'freeze' or 'secure' the funds is to hand over the physical cards and PINs immediately to a courier they will send.
A Disturbing Twist on a Classic Crime
While phone scams are sadly common, this method represents a dangerous evolution. It bypasses many digital safeguards. The criminal doesn't need to trick you into transferring money online or revealing a one-time password. They aim for the physical keys to your financial life: your card and its code. Once they have those, they can drain accounts from ATMs before the victim even realizes the 'helper' was the thief.
This scam preys on trust and the Swedish instinct for cooperation. We are generally a trusting society, often hesitant to be rude or abruptly end a conversation. The criminals exploit this social contract. They rely on the victim's desire to resolve a frightening situation quickly and politely. Police advice directly counters this instinct: "Dare to be unpleasant if you are called by someone making similar claims—and simply hang up."
The Human Cost Behind the Headlines
The loss of 100,000 SEK is devastating. For many, that represents savings, a security buffer, or a planned investment. Beyond the financial blow, the emotional damage is severe. Victims speak of feeling violated, foolish, and deeply distrustful afterwards. The scam shatters a sense of personal security. It happens in your own home, a place that should feel safe.
"It's a profound violation," says Anna Lundberg, a Stockholm-based psychologist who has worked with fraud victims. "The shame people feel often stops them from talking about it. But these are professional manipulators. They are good at what they do. The first line of defense is to recognize that no legitimate bank or authority will ever, under any circumstances, send someone to your home to collect your bank card. That is the red line."
How to Arm Yourself Against the Threat
Police and consumer protection agencies have clear, simple rules. First, your bank will never call you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, codes, or cards. Second, they will never send a courier to your address. Any such request is a guaranteed scam. If you are unsure, hang up immediately. Then, call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card or from their official website—not a number provided by the suspicious caller.
Create a family plan. Talk to older relatives, who are often targeted. Agree on a code word or a rule: "If anyone calls about money, we hang up and call each other first." This simple step can break the spell of urgency the scammer creates. Share the police warning on social media and in community groups. Awareness is the strongest weapon.
A Broader Look at Fraud in Swedish Society
This latest scam wave fits into a worrying trend across the Nordics. As digital banking becomes more secure, criminals are shifting tactics to include physical social engineering. They combine digital pressure with an in-person element. This hybrid approach is harder to trace and can yield bigger, faster payouts.
Law enforcement faces a significant challenge. These criminal networks are often based abroad, using spoofed phone numbers and disposable couriers. The focus, therefore, must be almost entirely on prevention and public education. The police statement is a key part of that—getting the warning out swiftly through local media and their own channels.
Community watch groups in suburbs and housing associations are becoming important hubs for sharing these alerts. In Stockholm neighborhoods like Hägersten and Bromma, local Facebook groups quickly circulated the police warning, with members adding their own experiences and advice. This grassroots network is vital.
The Final Word: Trust Your Instincts
If a call feels wrong, it almost certainly is. The pressure, the strange request, the manufactured crisis—these are all hallmarks of fraud. Give yourself permission to be abrupt. Hang up the phone. You do not owe a stranger politeness when your life savings are at stake.
The Swedish police message is refreshingly direct. It cuts through bureaucracy and speaks plainly: be rude, hang up, and protect yourself. In a culture that values consensus and calm, this advice is a necessary shield. As these criminals refine their cruel scripts, our best defense is a healthy dose of skepticism and the courage to simply end the conversation. Your financial safety is worth more than good phone manners.