Swedish police have advised people not to send money in Christmas cards as gifts after a man stole a postbox full of cards. Officers approached the man while he was opening Christmas cards in his car in the eastern town of Vasteras on Friday night.
When they searched the vehicle, they found a red postbox owned by Posten (the Swedish postal service) in the boot.
A bystander had earlier seen him push one of the red boxes, which are installed only during the Christmas period and used specifically for Christmas cards, into the rear of his car.
Vasteras police spokeswoman Martina Saghamre said that there was a red box at a nearby store and the man most likely hoped to find money in the Christmas cards, noting that many elderly people send cash at Christmas.
Officers reclaimed the mailbox and returned the stolen letters to their rightful place. Police have now warned people not to send money in Christmas cards. Saghamre said they “flatly discourage” people from sending cash in cards.
Posten said it is rare for Christmas cards to be stolen. Spokesman Per Ljungberg said this is his seventh season at the company and he’s never heard of such an instance. He added that overall they seldom have any issues involving people stealing Christmas cards.