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White collar crime covers a range of non-violent, financially motivated offenses committed by individuals, professionals, or companies. In Trollhättan, as elsewhere in Sweden, these offenses can include fraud, embezzlement, accounting offenses, tax crimes, money laundering, bribery, and market abuse. The legal framework is national - based on Swedish statutes and enforced by national and regional authorities - but local institutions such as the Trollhättan police station, the local prosecutor's office and Trollhättan tingsrätt - the district court - are the places where investigations begin and cases are heard.
Because Trollhättan has a mix of municipal activity, local businesses and industry, economic crime investigations may involve public procurement, corporate bookkeeping, payroll and VAT issues, or cross-border transactions. Serious or complex economic crimes are often investigated by specialized national units such as the Swedish Economic Crime Authority - Ekobrottsmyndigheten - working with local police and prosecutors.
White collar crime cases often involve complicated facts, technical financial records and long-term consequences for individuals and companies. You may need a lawyer if any of the following apply:
- You are under investigation or have been questioned by police or the prosecutor about suspected fraud, tax crime, accounting irregularities, money laundering, bribery or related offenses.
- Your company is the subject of a raid, seizure or a formal complaint from a public authority, a customer or a supplier.
- You received a notice of suspected tax evasion, an audit that may lead to criminal charges, or a claim by Skatteverket for unpaid taxes with criminal implications.
- You are the recipient of an asset freeze, attachment or forfeiture order, or your bank accounts have been blocked pending investigation.
- You hold or held a senior or financial role and face allegations of being responsible for corporate misconduct - directors, CFOs, accountants and controllers are frequently involved in investigations.
- You need to conduct an internal investigation, prepare a response to authorities, negotiate settlements, or evaluate risks of self-reporting.
A lawyer who specializes in economic crime can protect your rights, advise on what to say to investigators, apply for legal aid if eligible, handle evidence preservation and propose strategies to limit legal, financial and reputational damage.
Several Swedish laws are especially relevant to white collar crime investigations and prosecutions:
- The Swedish Penal Code - Brottsbalken - contains core criminal offenses such as fraud - bedrägeri - aggravated fraud, embezzlement and misuse of entrusted property - trolöshet mot huvudman - and corruption - mutbrott.
- The Accounting Offences Act - bokföringsbrott - makes negligent or intentional bookkeeping violations a criminal matter when they hinder control of a companys finances.
- Tax crimes - skattebrott and skatteundandragande - are prosecuted under tax law and the Penal Code, often in cooperation with Skatteverket - the Swedish Tax Agency.
- Money laundering is regulated under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act - penningtvättslagen - and often triggers investigations into the provenance of funds and suspicious transactions.
- Market abuse, including insider trading and market manipulation, is governed by EU rules implemented in Swedish law and supervised by Finansinspektionen - the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.
- The Swedish Economic Crime Authority - Ekobrottsmyndigheten - is the authority that leads or assists with complex economic crime investigations around the country. Serious cases may be handled by its regional offices.
Typical procedural steps in Sweden include a preliminary investigation - förundersökning - led by a prosecutor and carried out by the police or specialized agencies. During an investigation, prosecutors may request searches, seizures, and bank information. For serious flight or collusion risk, a suspect can be remanded in custody - häktning. Courts in Trollhättan are part of the national judicial system and apply national statutes, sentencing guidelines and rules of procedure.
Consequences for conviction vary by offense and seriousness - fines, corporate fines, forfeiture of criminal proceeds and imprisonment are possible. Statutes of limitation - preskription - differ by crime and severity, so it is important to act promptly.
White collar crime refers to non-violent financial or commercial crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, accounting offenses, tax crimes, money laundering, bribery, corruption and market abuse. The same legal categories apply in Trollhättan as elsewhere in Sweden because criminal law is national.
If the police or prosecutors want to question you, you have the right to a lawyer before speaking. Do not answer detailed questions or sign statements until you have legal advice. Ask politely to postpone questioning until your lawyer is present. If you cannot afford a lawyer and meet the criteria, the court can appoint a public defender - offentlig försvarare.
Both companies and individuals can be held responsible. Companies can face fines or other sanctions, while managers and employees can face criminal charges. Liability depends on evidence of intent, negligence, and the degree of control or responsibility an individual had.
Yes. Authorities may apply for seizure of assets or freezing of accounts to prevent dissipation of evidence or proceeds. Forensic accountants and a lawyer can challenge overly broad seizures or seek release of funds needed for living expenses or legal defense.
Timing varies by case complexity. Simple matters may be resolved within months. Complex economic crime cases with transactions, international elements and forensic accounting can take a year or more to investigate and then additional time for trial and appeals.
Common evidence includes accounting records, bank statements, emails and other electronic communications, invoices, witness testimony, expert reports from forensic accountants and findings from searches or seizures. Cross-border cooperation and data requests are common when transactions involve other countries.
Self-reporting can reduce penalties in some circumstances, but it also starts or accelerates investigations. Discuss the pros and cons with an experienced lawyer before deciding. Legal counsel can help structure voluntary disclosure and negotiate with authorities where appropriate.
Yes. If you are under criminal investigation and cannot afford counsel, you may be eligible for a court-appointed public defender. There are also rules for legal aid and cost support depending on income and the complexity of the case. Ask a local lawyer or the court about eligibility.
Cross-border transactions can complicate investigations, requiring international cooperation, freezing orders, mutual legal assistance and interaction with foreign authorities. A lawyer with experience in international economic crime and cross-border asset tracing is valuable in these cases.
Immediately preserve documents and electronic data, do not delete or alter records, and engage legal counsel. Limit internal communications about the matter, consider an independent internal investigation, and cooperate with authorities while protecting legal rights. A lawyer and forensic accountant can help manage the response and communications.
Below are agencies and organizations that are useful when you need more information or to report suspected offenses:
- Ekobrottsmyndigheten - Swedish Economic Crime Authority - handles serious economic crime investigations.
- Åklagarmyndigheten - The Swedish Prosecution Authority - leads criminal prosecutions.
- Polisen - Local police in Trollhättan and the broader Police Region West - handle initial investigations and evidence gathering.
- Skatteverket - Swedish Tax Agency - handles tax audits, tax crime investigations and reporting obligations.
- Finansinspektionen - The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority - oversees market abuse, insider trading and financial institutions.
- Trollhättan tingsrätt - local district court where criminal cases from the municipality are heard.
- Kronofogden - Enforcement Authority - for enforcement and debt-related issues that may arise from civil consequences.
- Sveriges advokatsamfund - The Swedish Bar Association - for lists of licensed lawyers and guidance on finding a qualified defense counsel.
When seeking help, prioritize lawyers experienced in economic crime, forensic accounting firms for evidence analysis, and compliance advisors for corporate responses.
If you think you are involved in a white collar matter or are under investigation, take the following steps:
- Stop any deletion or alteration of documents and preserve all relevant records including emails, bank statements and accounting files.
- Contact a lawyer with experience in economic crime and local knowledge of Trollhättan proceedings. Ask about experience with Ekobrottsmyndigheten, prosecutors and local courts.
- If appropriate, request a meeting with your companys legal or compliance team and begin a controlled internal review with independent advisers.
- Do not speak to the police or prosecutors in detail until you have legal advice. You have the right to counsel and may be entitled to a court-appointed defender if you cannot afford one.
- If authorities contact your bank or ask for emergency seizure, notify your lawyer immediately to evaluate motions to limit or contest those measures.
- Consider early risk assessment for reputational and regulatory consequences, including notifying insurers and preparing communications for stakeholders.
Acting promptly and with specialist legal support improves your chances of managing risk, protecting rights and reaching the best possible outcome. If you are unsure where to start, contact the Swedish Bar Association to find a qualified defence lawyer who practices in economic crime in Trollhättan.
