Norway Scams: Online, Banking & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Norway and how to report them to the Norwegian Police, Forbrukertilsynet, and your bank.
Emergency number: 112 (emergency), 02800 (police non-emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Norway sees significant online fraud including phishing targeting BankID credentials, investment scams, romance fraud, and parcel-fee smishing. BankID — Norway's widespread digital identity and banking authentication system — is a frequent target for social engineering attacks. The Norwegian Police (Politiet) accepts crime reports online, while Kripos and Økokrim handle serious cybercrime and financial fraud, and the Consumer Authority (Forbrukertilsynet) oversees consumer protection.
The standard attack pairs a phishing SMS — a fake Posten delivery fee, a bank 'security alert', a tax refund from Skatteetaten — with a follow-up call from a fake bank or police officer who talks the victim through BankID approvals framed as 'stopping the fraud'. Each approval actually authenticates a login or payment. Norwegians also know 'Olga fraud' ('olgasvindel'), the industry's name for social-engineering scams that strip elderly victims of savings through patient, repeated phone manipulation; banks have dedicated teams for it, but prevention beats recovery. The rule that defeats all variants: never use BankID because someone contacted you and asked.
Marketplace fraud on FINN.no runs from non-delivery and fake escrow to 'overpayment' refund tricks against sellers, and Vipps payment requests are abused the same way as other instant-payment apps — read what you approve. Investment fraud produces the deepest losses: cloned brokers, crypto platforms with fabricated endorsements of Norwegian business figures, and 'account managers' who coach deposits until withdrawals require 'tax'. Finanstilsynet publishes warning lists worth checking first. Romance scams and their pig-butchering variant complete the picture. When money moves, call your bank immediately and cancel any open BankID session, then report to the police at politiet.no.
Common scams
- BankID social engineering — tricking victims into approving fraudulent authentications
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Norwegian banks or Posten
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Online marketplace (FINN.no) non-delivery and overpayment scams
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging unlicensed taxis
- Counterfeit goods at tourist markets
- Fake cabin and holiday rental listings
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops and holiday rental listings
- Parcel-fee smishing impersonating Posten or Bring
- Account takeover via BankID phishing
- Vipps payment-request tricks on FINN.no and Facebook Marketplace
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront processing or visa fees
- Money-mule recruitment via 'easy income' social media ads
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and pig-butchering crypto investment grooming
- 'Olga fraud' — patient phone manipulation of elderly victims
- Long-distance partners with escalating emergencies
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and clone broker firms
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
- Ads with fabricated endorsements of Norwegian business figures
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately and cancel any suspicious BankID session
- Report crime to the Norwegian Police at politiet.no or by calling 02800
- For serious financial fraud, report to Økokrim
- Report consumer issues to Forbrukertilsynet at forbrukertilsynet.no
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
If you approved a BankID request you did not initiate, cancel it straight away and phone your bank on the number printed on your card. Norwegian banks can attempt to freeze or recall fraudulent transfers most effectively within the first few minutes, so make that call first. Explain plainly that you were deceived into approving the payment and describe what you were told each BankID approval was for — Norwegian banks and the finance complaints board assess manipulation cases on those details, and victims of sophisticated social engineering have had losses shared or covered. Ask for the receiving account to be reported and note the reference number, and report Vipps payments in the same call. File a police report at politiet.no so the bank has an official case number, then change your online banking credentials from a clean device and keep the messages, dates and amounts. If an elderly relative is being repeatedly called, tell their bank — most have dedicated 'Olga fraud' teams that can add protections to the account.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is the BankID scam in Norway?
Fraudsters call impersonating your bank or police, warning of a security threat and asking you to confirm your identity via BankID. Your approval authenticates a fraudulent transaction. Never approve a BankID session you did not personally initiate — hang up and call your bank on a trusted number.
How do I report a scam in Norway?
Report to the Norwegian Police online at politiet.no or call the non-emergency police number 02800. For serious economic crime and cybercrime, information can also be submitted to Kripos or Økokrim.
What does Forbrukertilsynet do?
Forbrukertilsynet is the Norwegian Consumer Authority, which supervises compliance with consumer protection law and can handle complaints about misleading commercial practices and unfair contract terms.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance