Contract killings in Finland driven by exploitation, researcher warns

Contract-based violent crimes in Finland are likely to continue unless authorities can dismantle the criminal networks behind them, according to Markus Kaakinen, an associate professor at the University of Helsinki.

Speaking to public broadcaster Yle, Kaakinen described the phenomenon as a form of exploitation, where perpetrators—often recruited online—are manipulated by criminal networks and may never receive promised payment. He stressed that combating these crimes requires international cooperation to identify and apprehend the masterminds, who frequently operate from abroad.

Finnish police have already uncovered four cases linked to contract crimes, where organized criminal groups have recruited minors to carry out violent acts in Finland. While the perpetrators have been caught in all cases, the actual instigators remain at large or unidentified abroad.

“This is a calculated risk management strategy by these networks,” Kaakinen explained. “The goal is to outsource crimes while avoiding accountability.”

Contract crimes typically involve multiple intermediaries who do not know each other, making it difficult for arrested individuals to provide information leading to key figures. Kaakinen warned that if those commissioning the crimes evade justice, the cycle of violence will persist and expand.

Exploitation of vulnerable recruits

Kaakinen emphasized that contract crimes reflect the operational tactics of transnational criminal networks rather than a broader youth crisis. These groups, active in Finland’s drug markets, use violence for debt collection or competition, often outsourcing violent acts to external recruits.

“This is exploitation,” he said. “Recruits are forced to verify their identity before being hired, putting them at the mercy of these networks.” In some cases, such as in Sweden, recruits are left unpaid with little recourse to demand compensation.

With the rise of international drug trafficking in Finland, Kaakinen expects contract crimes to increase. “We will likely see more of these cases in the future.”

Online recruitment and calls for international action

The challenge in solving contract crimes lies in the anonymity of those commissioning them, who hide behind online aliases and foreign intermediaries. Criminal networks use dedicated recruiters and local assistants for logistics, while perpetrators are primarily sourced through encrypted messaging apps or mainstream social media.

“If someone posts content hinting at an interest in criminal activity, they may be approached via private message,” Kaakinen explained. “Once criminal activity is discussed, communication shifts to encrypted platforms.”

To counter the threat, Kaakinen urged stronger international law enforcement cooperation, noting that criminal networks operate across borders. He also called for better support systems to break the cycle of youth crime, including integrated mental health and substance abuse interventions within the criminal justice process.

While acknowledging the severity of the issue, Kaakinen cautioned against overreaction. “I’d advise keeping a cool head. The situation in Finland is not comparable to, say, Sweden,” he said.