Police uncover nearly 700 victims in charity fraud case

A charity fundraising fraud investigation in Finland has expanded to include nearly 700 victims and more than 200,000 euros in suspected financial benefit, Yle reports.

Häme police began investigating the case in early 2026 after people believed they were donating money to low-income families and elderly people in the Päijät-Häme region.

Police suspect that the money was instead used by a 50-year-old woman from Hollola who organised the collections through fabricated donation requests published on social media.

At the start of the investigation, police estimated that about 400 people had donated money and that the suspected financial benefit was as much as 100,000 euros. Detective Chief Inspector Juha Pirkkalainen said the investigation has since shown that the number of victims may be close to 700.

Two victims donated more than 30,000 euros and 40,000 euros respectively.

Police say suspected offences have also been identified from 2026. The alleged fraud began at the end of 2020, according to investigators.

The case is being investigated as a fundraising offence and aggravated fraud. Police are expected to transfer it to prosecutors for consideration of charges during the autumn.