Pysähdy!campaign starts Monday to curb online fraud, drunk driving

The police will launch ‘The Pysähdy! (Stop!)’ campaign on Monday with the view to create awareness about the risk of various issues including fraud and traffic safety.

The campaign will stop, alert, and encourage people to seek help at an early stage, said the National Police Board in a press release on Sunday.

In the week from 29 March to 4 April, the focus is on fraud targeting the elderly, and from 19 to 25 April, on safe behaviour in traffic.

The five themes of the campaign – mental health problems, intoxicant abuse and the related problems, domestic violence, online fraud, and traffic safety – have been selected on the basis of an analysis conducted by the police.

“It is vital to prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading further, but at the same time, it is essential to remember and be aware of the fact that due to the prolonged exceptional circumstances, loneliness, financial worries, mental health problems, and intoxicant abuse and the problems related to it have made many feel they are stretched to the limit. We in the police forces are concerned over people in difficult situations and want to remind everyone to take care of each other. No-one should be left alone and help is always available,” said National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen.

The number of online fraud cases reported to the police has continued to increase. The number of cases of so-called online fraud reported to the police from 2019 to 2020 has grown by more than 30 per cent. The police have enhanced cooperation with the authorities and other operators in communications intended to prevent crime.

“Recently, various types of fraud, particularly those targeting the elderly, have been headline news on a daily basis. The police alone records approximately 4,500 cases of fraud targeting over 65-year-olds every year, and every single one of these is too much,” said National Police Board Chief Superintendent Tuomas Pöyhönen

Criminals use many different methods and locations. The crime may take place at home, over the phone, and online.

Pöyhönen said the modus operandi in cases of fraud committed by making use of the Internet has become so advanced that it is difficult to distinguish criminal activity from lawful activity. For example, criminals have created authentic-looking web pages in Finnish. Perpetrators may contact potential victims in Finnish and the calls are made from Finnish phone numbers.

Pöyhönen pointed out that it is often difficult to reach the elderly and warn them about fraud.

In 2021, so-called helpdesk scams committed over telephone have become very common. In this type of fraud, the caller claims to be, for example, a Microsoft IT specialist, claiming that the victim’s computer is being hacked and there is a risk of losing money.

“The method often includes installing remote access software on the victim’s computer or phishing of credit card and bank card details or online banking credentials. These criminals specifically target the elderly,” said Tuomas Pöyhönen.