Police investigate attempts to trick company executives into transfers

Police are investigating attempts to persuade company executives to transfer money, with suspected cases reported across Finland, Yle reports.

East Uusimaa Police said it had received several reports. The suspected fraudsters posed as senior figures within the companies and justified payment requests as arrangements related to business acquisitions.

“The contacts were made through messaging apps from foreign phone numbers,” said Detective Chief Inspector Lasse Lagerbohm of East Uusimaa Police.

Police urged companies to exercise great caution when they receive requests to transfer money through unusual communication channels. It also warned businesses about the new fraud method.

Lagerbohm said police had identified several suspected cases carried out in a similar way across Finland. The total proceeds from the suspected crimes could reach as much as two million euros.