Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and the continuation of the United States’ “maximum pressure” policy as well as the European Union’s “trigger mechanism,” the value of the Iranian rial has once again entered a downward trend.
On Monday, August 25, the euro in the open market reached 112,450 tomans, while the US dollar was traded at 96,200 tomans. The value of the Swedish krona has also risen sharply in recent months against other currencies, particularly the euro and the dollar. The krona, which this year ranked first among major world currencies in terms of appreciation, has gained about 15 percent against the US dollar.
In recent months, several large shipments of Swedish krona banknotes have been detected and seized by customs at this country’s air exit points bound for Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. To prevent money laundering involving the Swedish krona, banks in Sweden have for some time refrained from accepting and exchanging Swedish banknotes, especially through money changers in the Middle East. As a result, exchange offices, unable to convert krona through Swedish banks, also refuse to accept them.
For this reason, carrying Swedish krona on international trips, including to Iran, is not recommended. Instead, it is advised to use the euro, which is far more easily convertible—even compared to the US dollar—in most countries worldwide.
At the same time, numerous cases of fraud targeting Iranians in Sweden related to the purchase, sale, and transfer of currency via social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp continue to be reported almost daily.
The Swedish police have warned citizens to strictly avoid any dealings with private individuals engaged in currency trading or transfers on social media.
Any purchase, sale, or transfer of currency outside the banking system in Sweden—including through social media—constitutes a clear case of money laundering and terrorist financing, and can bring devastating financial and legal consequences for both the buyer and the seller.
