Charity fraud expands: nearly 700 victims and over €200,000 – woman from Hollola suspected
Hämeen police suspect a 50-year-old woman from Hollola of defrauding nearly 700 people out of over €200,000 through fraudulent donation requests.
Woman from Hollola suspected of large-scale charity fraud
Yle Uutiset reported that the fundraising fraud being investigated by Hämeen police has proven considerably larger than originally estimated. The suspect is a 50-year-old woman from Hollola, who is believed to have collected over €200,000 through fraudulent donation requests published on social media.
Police began investigating the series of crimes in early 2026. Donors believed they were supporting low-income families and the elderly in Päijät-Häme, but the funds are suspected to have been directed for the woman running the collections' own use.
At the outset of the investigation, the number of victims was estimated at around 400 and criminal proceeds at a maximum of €100,000. According to criminal commissioner Juha Pirkkalainen, the number of victims has risen to nearly 700. Among them are two individuals who have donated a combined €30,000 and €40,000.
The frauds are believed to have begun in late 2020, and new criminal suspicions have also emerged from 2026. The case is being investigated as a fundraising crime and aggravated fraud. The matter is likely to proceed to prosecution consideration during autumn.
Source: Yle Uutiset