Electronic Devices' Cargos Get Stolen in Sweden, Sold in Albania
Sweden is investigating an event which has turned into a major concern for the country, where trucks loaded with mobile phones and laptops are stolen and then sold in Balkan countries, mainly Albania, Serbia and Croatia.
According to the Swedish police, the damage of this theft goes up to 600 million SEK or approximately 58 million euros per year.
In February 2021, a truck from Southeast Europe was loaded with cell phones that had been stolen from Swedish trucks. A few days later, police uncover how cell phones are used in Croatia, Serbia and Albania.
A month later, the same truck is loaded with 100 laptops stolen from another truck in Sweden. But this time the police follow and stop the truck at the port of Trelleborg. The driver is sentenced to one year in prison.
"We see a very fast turnover of goods from the moment they are stolen, they come to the reception center, where a truck from other countries is loaded and ready to leave the country", said prosecutor Mårten Alvinsson.
So far there are about 20 suspects at all levels starting with the theft of cell phones, laptops and / or video games.
"Ordinary people need to think about what goods they are buying, from whom they are buying and under what circumstances", said Chamber Prosecutor Mårten Alvinsson.
"If you buy it in a parking lot, through Blocket or Tradera, you have to ask yourself: Who is the person I meet? It's very important to check before you buy something", said Mikael Björk, Sweden's police chief.