Sweden Scams: Online, Investment & Banking Fraud Guide
Common scams in Sweden and how to report to the Swedish Police, Konsumentverket, and your bank.
Emergency number: 112 (emergency), 114 14 (police non-emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sweden experiences online fraud including phishing, smishing impersonating banks or Postnord, investment scams, and romance fraud. The Swedish Police (polisen.se) accept online fraud reports and the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket) handles consumer protection complaints. BankID, Sweden's widespread digital identity system, is a frequent target for social engineering attacks where fraudsters try to trick victims into approving fraudulent BankID authorisations. Acting immediately to contact your bank and cancel any pending BankID session is essential if you suspect you are being targeted.
Common scams
- BankID social engineering — tricking victims into approving fraudulent authorisations
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Swedbank, SEB, or Postnord
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Online marketplace non-delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging or unlicensed taxis
- Ticket resale scams for events
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops
- Parcel-fee smishing impersonating Postnord
- Account takeover via BankID phishing
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront payments
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and crypto investment grooming
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and clone broker firms
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to block or freeze the account
- If a BankID session is open, cancel it immediately via your bank's app
- Report fraud to the Swedish Police at polisen.se
- Report consumer issues to Konsumentverket at konsumentverket.se
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card. Never approve a BankID request you did not initiate — cancel the session immediately and call your bank. Swedish banks can freeze accounts and attempt to recall transfers most effectively within the first few minutes.
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?
Scammers call pretending to be your bank or police, saying your account is at risk and asking you to 'verify' by opening BankID. They use your approval to authenticate a fraudulent transaction. Always cancel any unexpected BankID session and call your bank on a number you know is correct.
How do I report fraud in Sweden?
File a police report at polisen.se. For consumer protection issues, contact Konsumentverket at konsumentverket.se. Always contact your bank first if money has been moved.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance