Door-to-door sales scams reported in Hyvinkää, police issue warning
Residents in Hyvinkää have reported at least three cases of suspected fraud involving door-to-door salespeople, prompting police to issue a warning about aggressive and deceptive sales tactics. All incidents involve English-speaking sellers who allegedly pressured customers into purchasing services, particularly pavement cleaning, before failing to deliver on their promises.
According to the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department, the complainants stated that the work was either left unfinished or did not match the original agreement. Ilta-Sanomat reports that the sellers initially claimed invoicing would be possible after the work but later demanded immediate payment, refusing to leave the property until the money was transferred. Customers under pressure paid part of the amount on the spot, only to later receive a final invoice from a completely different company than the one named during the sale.
The sellers also reportedly returned to customers’ homes and sent follow-up emails to pressure them further. Detective Chief Inspector Suvi Kukkonen, cited by both Ilta-Sanomat and Iltalehti, described the behavior as highly suspicious, particularly when sellers insist on immediate payment, create a sense of urgency, or promise unrealistically favorable terms.
While the police have not classified the Hyvinkää cases as criminal investigations, they are treating them as disputes. Iltalehti notes that Kukkonen emphasized the need for caution, stating that the number of disappointed customers has already raised concerns within the police. Authorities urge residents to carefully evaluate unexpected door-to-door offers and avoid making rushed financial decisions.
