A new report from Finland’s Police University College in Tampere reveals that the number of financial crime investigations has surged over the past decade while the amount of assets recovered from these crimes has steadily decreased.
Published: 24/06/25 | 13:59
According to the report which reflects the experiences of those directly involved in investigating economic crimes the number of cases reported to police reached over 2,600 in 2024. In the same year authorities concluded nearly 2,200 investigations. However, despite the increased volume, recoveries amounted to just 29 million euros. By the end of 2024 there were still 4,450 open financial crime cases.
Senior Researcher Vesa Muttilainen noted in the college’s press release that economic crime investigations have undergone significant changes since the mid-2010s. “The volume of unresolved cases has doubled in the last decade. Simultaneously the value of seized criminal proceeds has consistently decreased,” he said.
The study highlights that the average duration of a financial crime investigation in 2024 was nearly 16 months which is the longest average duration recorded since the early 2000s. Furthermore, the total time from when the offense was committed to the conclusion of the investigation averaged 32 months marking a noticeable rise compared to ten years ago.
Investigators cited several reasons for delays including the intricate and often international nature of financial crimes. Tracking and recovering assets hidden through cryptocurrency transactions presents a particular challenge. Respondents also mentioned missing documentation, difficulties in managing the public nature of records and the challenge of organizing fragmented information into coherent cases.
The report was based on responses from 201 financial crime investigators and their assistants in spring 2024 had a participation rate of just over 47 percent. More than 20 percent of those that were surveyed reported feeling burnt out due to the demanding nature of their work but despite these pressures most said they remained motivated and satisfied with their roles.
The study provides a detailed view of the evolving landscape of financial crime in Finland highlighting both the growing workload for investigators and the mounting challenges in successfully recovering criminal assets.
