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Two Swedes named on world rich list

Two Swedes have been named among the richest people in the world, according to the latest Forbes ranking which ranks Mexican Carlos Slim in first place.

Published: 11 March 2010 07:34 CET

Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates was pushed into second place by the Mexican telecom magnate, the second time Gates has lost top spot since 1995 in the Forbes magazine rankings.

Slim is worth a purported $53.5 billion while Gates has to make do with $53 billion, followed by US investor Warren Buffet on $47 billion.

The trio of well-heeled men have regained the combined $53.5 billion wiped off their fortunes in 2009.

The first Swede on the list is Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad in 11th place. The Kamprad family fortune amounts to $23 billion. The richest Swedish resident is Stefan Persson of clothing chain H&M in 13th place with $22.4 billion.

Last year the Kamprads’ then $22 billion fortune was enough to claim 5th place in the list. Persson has meanwhile expanded his wealth, from $14.5 billion last year, and climbed from 18th place as a result.

There are now 1,011 US dollar billionaires, in comparison to 793 in 2009 and 1,125 in 2008.

The net wealth of the world’s billionaires has rebounded to $3.5 trillion, up $1.1 trillion on 2009 but still a way off 2008 levels of $4.4 trillion.

The number of women on the Forbes list of billionaires has increased from 72 in 2009 to 89.

“The global economy is recovering which can be seen reflected in the list this year,” said the magazine’s CEO Steve Forbes.

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How to avoid falling victim to tax scams in Sweden

Anyone who earned more than 22,208 kronor last year received their tax returns digitally last week, marking the start of tax season.

That also means an expected peak in tax-related scams, Skatteverket warns.

Most of the scams are so-called phishing scams, meaning attempts to steal the victims’ personal information. Fraudsters may for example email a person, pretending to represent Skatteverket, and ask them for, among other things, their banking details.

“We’re seeing these in all channels. They use fake emails, SMS, letters and in some cases even phone calls. It is particularly common in tax declaration times – just when we’re about to send out the tax returns, the e-service opens and it’s possible to declare – but above all when it’s time for tax rebates,” Jan Janowski, a Skatteverket expert, told Swedish news agency TT.

A scam email might for example state that you’re entitled to a tax rebate and that you should click a link to receive it. Don’t click any links, open any attachments or reply to the message. Skatteverket advises that you immediately delete the email or text message.

Another common scam is that you receive a text message claiming to be from Skatteverket, telling you that you owe them money and you need to log in to calculate the amount. The website you’re urged to log in via does not belong to Skatteverket. Don’t click the link.

The agency stresses that it never asks people for their banking details. The exception is that you may be asked for your bank account information if you log into Skatteverket’s website to declare your taxes, but that always first requires you to log into the site.

To receive your tax rebate, you need to inform Skatteverket of your bank account number. You do this not by clicking a link in an email or SMS, but by logging into their website using a digital ID, for example BankID, and submitting your details. Only do this on your own initiative. If someone calls you and asks you to log in with your BankID during the phone call, don’t do it. That’s another common scam.

Skatteverket will also never call you to ask for your bank account or credit card number.

It will be possible to declare your taxes from March 19th. You’ll receive any tax rebate you’re owed by mid-April or early June, depending on when you submit your tax return. These are the dates when fraudsters are likely to attempt the most scams.

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