Common Online Scams Targeting Swedish Teens

The Growing Threat of Online Scams in Sweden

According to the Swedish Police Authority (Polisen), online fraud has increased by 36% over the past three years, with teenagers increasingly being targeted through platforms they use daily. As digital natives, Swedish teens are comfortable with technology, but this familiarity can sometimes lead to reduced caution when navigating online spaces.

Online scammers are adapting their strategies, creating more sophisticated and targeted approaches that specifically appeal to young people. What makes these scams particularly effective is how they exploit typical teenage characteristics:

• Desire for social acceptance and popularity
• Interest in earning money independently
• FOMO (fear of missing out) on trends or opportunities
• Trust in peers and influencers
• Limited financial experience

"Today's scammers are studying what motivates teenagers and designing highly targeted frauds that speak directly to their interests and desires."

— Swedish Consumer Agency

Top Scams Affecting Swedish Teens Today

Being aware of the most common scams is the first step toward avoiding them. Here are the most prevalent online scams targeting Swedish teenagers:

1. "Free" Premium Account Scams

These scams offer "free" or heavily discounted access to premium services like Spotify, Netflix, or gaming platforms. They typically work in one of two ways:

• Credential Harvesting: The scammer claims they have a "hack" or special technique to get free access, but you need to provide your existing account credentials or create a new account with personal information.
• Malware Distribution: You're directed to download a "special app" or file that supposedly unlocks premium features but actually installs malware on your device.

Red Flags: Requests for login credentials, suspicious download links, or requirements to complete surveys or install unknown applications.

2. Account Takeover Through "Friend" Messages

This increasingly common scam involves a message that appears to come from a friend asking for help or sharing an exciting offer:

• A message arrives from a friend's account (which has been compromised)
• The message claims they need your phone number for verification, a code that was sent to you, or help accessing something
• What they're actually doing is trying to compromise your accounts by intercepting verification codes or resetting passwords

Red Flags: Unexpected requests for verification codes, unusual urgency, strange wording unlike your friend's typical communication style, or requests that don't make logical sense.

3. Fake Influencer Partnerships and Modeling Opportunities

These scams prey on teens' desires for recognition and income, particularly common on Instagram and TikTok:

• You receive a direct message claiming to be from a brand or talent scout who is "impressed with your profile"
• They offer modeling opportunities or brand ambassador roles with free products or payment
• To "get started," you need to pay a small fee for processing, portfolio development, or shipping of products

Red Flags: Requests for payment upfront, vague company information, poor grammar, communication only through direct messages rather than official emails, and offers that seem too good to be true.

4. Shopping Scams and Counterfeit Products

With the rise of social media shopping, teens are frequently targeted with fake shopping sites or counterfeit products:

• Advertisements (often on Instagram or TikTok) show trendy products at suspiciously low prices
• The website looks legitimate but has limited contact information
• After payment, either no product arrives, or a poor-quality counterfeit is delivered

Red Flags: Prices significantly below market value, website domains that are recently created, limited payment options (especially requests for direct bank transfers or cryptocurrency), and no clear return policy.

5. Gift Card and Money Transfer Scams

These scams manipulate teens into sending money or purchasing gift cards under false pretenses:

• A message claiming to be from a friend or family member says they're in an emergency and need money quickly
• A "competition winner" notification says you've won but need to pay a small fee to claim your prize
• An "employer" for a fake job sends you money and asks you to purchase gift cards or transfer a portion to someone else

Red Flags: Requests for payment via gift cards (especially iTunes, Steam, or Google Play cards), pressure to act quickly, and communication only through messaging apps rather than voice calls.

6. Dating and Romance Scams

While often associated with older adults, dating scams are increasingly targeting teens through social media and gaming platforms:

• The scammer creates a fake profile and builds a romantic connection over time
• They avoid video calls or in-person meetings with various excuses
• Eventually, they ask for money for an "emergency," gifts, or assistance with travel to meet you

Red Flags: Reluctance to video chat, rapid emotional attachment, inconsistencies in their story, and any requests for financial assistance or expensive gifts.

Why Teens Are Vulnerable: The Psychology Behind Scams

Understanding why these scams are effective can help in recognizing and avoiding them:

Social Proof and Trust

Teens tend to trust content that appears to be endorsed by peers or influencers they follow. Scammers exploit this by:

• Creating fake profiles that look popular with many followers
• Using compromised accounts to reach friends of the victim
• Falsifying testimonials or reviews from other teenagers

Limited Risk Perception

The developing teenage brain often focuses more on potential rewards than risks, making enticing offers particularly effective. Additionally, many teens haven't yet experienced financial fraud, making it harder to identify warning signs.

Privacy vs. Opportunity

While Swedish teens are generally privacy-conscious, the promise of exclusive opportunities or financial gain can sometimes override caution about sharing personal information.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Scams

Here are practical strategies to help Swedish teens avoid becoming victims of online scams:

Verify Before Trusting

• Check official channels: If a brand is supposedly contacting you, verify through their official website or public social media accounts
• Verify friend requests: If a message from a friend seems unusual, contact them through another method before responding
• Research companies: Before engaging with a business, check reviews on trusted Swedish consumer sites like Prisjakt or Trustpilot

Secure Your Accounts

• Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible
• Never share verification codes sent to your phone or email
• Regularly check privacy settings on your social media accounts

Practice Safe Shopping

• Use secure payment methods like credit cards or trusted services like Klarna that offer buyer protection
• Be skeptical of extreme discounts on popular items
• Check the website URL carefully for misspellings or unusual domains
• Verify the site has a proper returns policy and clear contact information

Protect Personal Information

• Be cautious about what you share publicly on social media
• Never share your personnummer (Swedish personal ID number) online
• Limit the personal details you include in online profiles
• Use privacy settings to control who can see your content

What To Do If You've Been Scammed

If you believe you've fallen victim to an online scam, taking quick action can help limit the damage:

1. Document everything: Take screenshots of all communications, transactions, and relevant information
2. Contact your bank: If you've shared financial information or made payments, contact your bank immediately
3. Change your passwords: Update passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised
4. Report the scam: File a report with the Swedish Police at polisen.se and with the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket)
5. Alert the platform: Report scam accounts to the social media platform or website where the scam occurred
6. Tell a trusted adult: Don't be embarrassed—scammers are professionals, and sharing your experience can help others avoid similar situations

For financial scams specifically, contact the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) and consider filing a report with the Swedish National Fraud Centre.

Swedish Resources for Scam Prevention and Support

Several organizations in Sweden provide resources specifically designed to help teens navigate online safety:

• Statens medieråd (Swedish Media Council): Offers educational resources about online scams and digital safety for young people
• Konsumentverket (Swedish Consumer Agency): Provides information about consumer rights and how to report scams
• BRIS (Children's Rights in Society): Offers support services for young people facing online issues
• Polisen (Swedish Police): Has specialized IT crime units and reporting mechanisms for online fraud

Conclusion: Staying Safe While Staying Connected

The digital world offers incredible opportunities for Swedish teenagers to connect, learn, and express themselves. By understanding common scams and implementing basic safety practices, you can enjoy these benefits while minimizing risks.

Remember that legitimate opportunities rarely require upfront payments, and real friends won't ask you to share verification codes or send money in unusual ways. When in doubt, take a step back, verify independently, and consult with a trusted adult.

As online scams continue to evolve, staying informed about new tactics is one of your best defenses. By sharing this knowledge with friends and building a culture of digital safety awareness, Swedish teens can help protect not just themselves, but their entire community.