Kombispel faces backlash over aggressive sales tactics targeting elderly in Sweden

Last week, it was revealed that telephone sales representatives hired by Kombispel, owned by the Social Democratic Party, employed aggressive sales tactics, particularly targeting the elderly. Effective Communication, the telemarketing firm in question, stated that both the Social Democrats and Kombispel were fully aware of their methods.

Tobias Baudin, the party’s secretary, emphasized that these tactics do not reflect the values of either the party or Kombispel. Reports from other media outlets linked several individuals at the call center to organized crime, raising serious concerns.

In response to the controversy, Baudin condemned the hiring of a telemarketing firm in Barcelona with ties to gang-related activities. He announced significant organizational changes: the dismissal of the CEO, a complete board overhaul, and an immediate termination of the contract with the company. He stated there would be no further reliance on external telemarketing firms in the future due to the severity of the situation, and he expressed sympathy for those who felt pressured during the sales process, advocating for their refunds.

Political leader Magdalena Andersson has not yet commented on the matter. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Niklas Wykman criticized her silence, urging her to clarify the party’s intentions regarding the funds raised through these lotteries. He also highlighted the ongoing discussion regarding a ban on such activities, particularly in light of the vulnerabilities faced by elderly citizens in Sweden, who are often targets of scams.

Baudin noted that the Tidö parties have long sought to abolish the Social Democrats’ lottery system, underscoring the importance of self-funding for political parties while preserving the principles of free association.