Finland’s official messaging service moves online – and scammers take notice

Finland’s Suomi.fi digital messaging service, now used by over three million citizens, has become a prime target for online fraudsters, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle. As authorities shift official communications to the platform, scammers are exploiting its growing popularity to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

The service, which became the default channel for government correspondence last week, saw nearly half a million Finns log in during April alone. However, its rapid adoption has also drawn scammers, who impersonate Suomi.fi to phish for banking details and personal data.

Many citizens remain hesitant about the transition. Salli Rutanen, a Jyväskylä resident, told Yle she abandoned an online booking for a sports facility after being asked for her national ID number. “I tried entering just part of it, but that wasn’t enough. It feels like they’re asking for too much information,” she said.

Marianne Lindroth, head of the Cyber Citizen project, which promotes digital literacy, acknowledged the steep learning curve. “The demands are already very high. Digitalisation is accelerating, and AI is part of everyday life,” she said, urging cautious online behaviour.

Authorities have noted a rise in fraud attempts using Suomi.fi branding. Kimmo Rousku, a senior specialist at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), advised users to verify messages carefully, as scammers often mimic official communications. Samuli Könönen, a cybersecurity expert at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), warned that increased online activity inevitably attracts criminals. “Where there are people, there’s money—and where there’s money, there are criminals,” he said.

Police have responded by establishing a specialised cybercrime unit under the Central Finland Police Department. While online fraud surged in 2024—with reported damages reaching at least €84.2 million—growth slowed last year to 5–10%, down from 70% in 2024. Sakari Tuominen, the unit’s chief detective, attributed the decline to improved prevention but noted that around 10,000 serious cases still required investigation.

Tuominen stressed that scammers often pressure victims to act quickly. “If someone rushes you, it’s usually a scam,” he said. With many perpetrators operating internationally, recovery of stolen funds remains rare, making prevention critical.