Mother Scammed by Fraud Company Until Her Death

A Swedish man, Nicklas Marklund, uncovered a long-running scam after his mother's death when reviewing her financial documents. He found that she had been paying 400 kronor per month via direct debit to a company called First Prize Sverige, linked to the defunct "Premie Invest."

Premie Invest, active in the late 1990s, lured customers into buying used premium bonds on credit, promising extra winnings. These bonds, a state-issued mix of savings and lottery, were not a sustainable investment. Marklund estimates his mother may have lost up to 140,000 kronor over the years, as the company continued to collect payments even after its primary operations ceased.

"What annoyed me most is that they were allowed to keep their bank account numbers and continue to receive money," Marklund stated, expressing frustration that the company seemingly operated unchecked for so long. He managed to stop the direct debits from the estate but acknowledges that his mother is deceased, making recovery impossible. His priority now is to help others avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

Marklund's experience is not isolated. Social media posts indicate that others may still be affected, with one user reporting ongoing deductions and non-functional contact numbers for the company. The Swedish Consumer Agency has received at least 242 complaints regarding the company over the years, with a 2022 report detailing a similar case where a customer could not obtain a valid contract from First Prize, leading to a fraud report.

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Min mor har ju dött så jag gick igenom papper, räkningar och hela köret. När jag började kolla upp det hela upptäckte jag att hon hade på autogiro där det drogs 400 kronor i månaden till First Prize Sverige.