Police investigate theft of bank card and jewelry from elderly victim in Helsinki

The Helsinki police are investigating a case involving the theft of a bank card, a large quantity of gold jewelry, a revolver, and a personal vehicle from an elderly victim. The incident began when a man, impersonating a bank employee, called the elderly person, claiming there were discrepancies in their bank account that needed to be addressed in person.

When the victim arrived near the bank, they received another call instructing them to wait in their car at a nearby parking lot. A man then approached, persuading the victim to drive him to his home. Once there, the suspect continued to pose as a bank official, successfully convincing the victim to hand over the aforementioned items.

Following the theft, the suspect drove the elderly person around the capital region, even attempting to rent a car in the victim’s name. The suspect eventually left the victim near their home and disappeared with the stolen property. That same evening, several thousand euros were withdrawn from the victim’s bank account. The suspect had also obtained the bank card’s PIN earlier that day.

The police received a report about the incident on Saturday, August 10. On the same day, they responded to a report of a disoriented man carrying a revolver in a public space. By the time they arrived, the man had fled, but witnesses noted his vehicle’s license plate number.

Early the next morning, the police located the car, finding the sought-after suspect asleep inside. A revolver and some stolen jewelry were also recovered. The man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated fraud and firearms offenses. The investigation is ongoing. The police remind the public never to disclose bank credentials or PIN numbers to outsiders, as bank employees or authorities will never request such information via phone, text, email, or in person.