Fictitious Employment and Benefit Fraud. NAV Presents Shocking Data
In 2025, NAV reported 314 people for benefit-related fraud totaling NOK 86 million. This is fewer cases than the previous year, but a higher sum of fraud.
Unemployment benefit remains the most commonly abused allowance.
Fot. Fotolia/Royalty Free/Author: seventythree
The number of reports dropped from 350 in 2024 to 314 in 2025. At the same time, the total amount increased by NOK 9.6 million. The average value per case has clearly risen. The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) reports a change in the nature of these crimes.
Increasing Amounts in Individual Cases
The average amount per person rose from NOK 225,000 in 2024 to NOK 274,000 in 2025. This is a clear year-on-year increase. According to acting Director of Labour and Social Benefits, Eve Vangsnes Bergli, the cases are becoming more complex. The institution is focusing on the most serious cases.
The most frequently reported abuses are related to unemployment benefits. In 2025, 158 such cases were recorded. However, the highest total amount concerns fraud involving work assessment allowance, totaling NOK 40 million in 136 cases.
The most frequently reported abuses are related to unemployment benefits. In 2025, 158 such cases were recorded. However, the highest total amount concerns fraud involving work assessment allowance, totaling NOK 40 million in 136 cases.
Only some cases result in notification of law enforcement authorities.Photo: /illustrative photo, photo by Peder Torp Mathisen (Flickr.com, CC BY-NC 2.0)
Complex Mechanisms and Organized Crime
The largest cases involve identity theft. There are also instances of false income data. Some cases include fictitious employment relationships. In certain situations, organized criminal groups are involved.
According to Bergli, such abuses undermine trust in the social benefits system. NAV classifies them as serious economic crime. Every year, the institution detects incorrect payments amounting to around NOK 1 billion. However, only the most serious cases, selected from all detected irregularities, are referred to law enforcement.
According to Bergli, such abuses undermine trust in the social benefits system. NAV classifies them as serious economic crime. Every year, the institution detects incorrect payments amounting to around NOK 1 billion. However, only the most serious cases, selected from all detected irregularities, are referred to law enforcement.
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