Scammers Target Shoppers in Espoo Shopping Centres with Fake Bank Transfer Scheme
Police in Espoo are investigating a series of fraud cases in which scammers have tricked victims into withdrawing cash under false pretences. The incidents, reported in late July, have occurred in shopping centres across the city, with multiple victims falling for the same deception.
According to authorities, the suspects—described as adult men—approached individuals and claimed to have lost their bank cards. They then asked victims to withdraw money from ATMs, promising to repay the amount via a bank transfer. Ilta-Sanomat reports that the men often stated they were from out of town, adding a sense of urgency to their requests.
To convince their targets, the scammers displayed a banking application on their phones, making it appear as though a transfer had been initiated. However, Iltalehti cites Detective Sergeant Jari Saarelainen as confirming that no actual transfers took place. In some cases, victims handed over nearly €300 in cash before realising they had been deceived.
The police are treating the cases as fraud or petty fraud, with investigations ongoing. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made. Both Iltalehti and Ilta-Sanomat note that the incidents share a consistent pattern, suggesting a coordinated effort by the suspects.