Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Types in Sweden on the Rise: A Growing Concern for Law Enforcement

Sweden has long been plagued by organized crime, but recent years have seen a surge in gang-related violence and financial crimes that are becoming increasingly complex and brazen. The country’s police forces are struggling to keep up with the situation.

Rise of Organized Crime in Sweden

According to statistics, Sweden had the highest number of gun deaths in Europe in 2018, with triple the number of fatalities involving firearms between 2012 and 2020. The growing presence of organized crime groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, criminal networks, and prison gangs, has exacerbated the situation.

Notorious Examples

  • Foxtrot: A Kurdish criminal group led by Rawa Majid, responsible for numerous violent incidents in Sweden’s Uppsala and Stockholm areas.
  • Brödraskapet: A Swedish prison gang that has expanded its operations to include organized crime, with members mostly native Swedes but influencing the country as a whole.

Other Examples of Organized Crime Groups

  • Södertäljenätverket: An Assyrian criminal organization involved in infiltrating the welfare sector and local politics.
  • Naserligan: An Albanian criminal organization that has formed alliances with ethnic Swedes.
  • Black Cobra: A gang originally from Denmark, expanded to Sweden.
  • M-Falangen: A Bosnian criminal group based in Malmö.

Financial Crime on the Rise

The situation is further complicated by the presence of foreign criminal organizations and sophisticated methods used to launder money and evade detection by law enforcement. Many of these criminal organizations are using advanced techniques to conceal their activities, making it challenging for authorities to track their finances.

Examples of Financial Crime Groups

  • Chosen Ones: A multicultural criminal organization led by Essa Sallah Kah, linked to the Hells Angels motorcycle club.
  • Werewolf Legion: A Stockholm-based group involved in robbery and extortion.
  • Asir: A criminal organization composed of hardened criminals from Uppsala, Norrköping, Västerås, and Göteborg.
  • Bredäng Warriors: A multi-ethnic criminal organization specializing in coarse robbery.

Government Response

In response to this growing problem, Swedish authorities have vowed to increase efforts to combat organized crime and protect the public. However, the situation remains complex and challenging for law enforcement agencies.

Future Steps

As the fight against financial crime in Sweden continues, it is essential that the government and law enforcement agencies work together to address the root causes of these problems and provide a safer environment for citizens.