Constant cooperation between Swedish and US authorities through coordination by Eurojust, made it possible for the authorities to share valuable information needed during the investigation and plan for an action day in November 2024 where the main perpetrator and two of his accomplices were arrested in the United States and Sweden. After the action day, cooperation continued to get the main suspect extradited. The extradition matter in the United States was handled by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The long process was coordinated by Eurojust. On April 10, the main suspect was transferred from the U.S. Marshals Service custody to Swedish law enforcement.

Investigations into the suspects unveiled the scam since approximately 2019 where they called their victims and claimed to be bank employees. Victims were asked to follow certain steps leading to money being transferred to the accounts of the criminal group. At least 25 victims were defrauded using this scam, with estimated damages adding up to EUR 6 million. Some of the victims have lost their entire life savings because of the scam.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Sweden: Swedish Prosecution Authority, National Unit Against Organised Crime; Swedish Police
• United States: US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; US Marshals Service in the Central District of California