The threats came on two separate occasions. The first came on the fourth of December, when three of the arrested men must have taken up residence in Halmstad where two of the defendants live. They should then have threatened to burn down the home or "slaughter the family" if they did not give them money. At the same time, four of the men must have searched one of the victims' homes, which they also showed through video calls.

Did not pay - contacted the police

The second time the seven men allegedly demanded money was December 8 when they decided to hit a mall in Halmstad. Even then, the three men threatened to kill or seriously harm them and their families if they did not give them five million kronor.

But despite the blackmail threats, the three men never paid the sum - instead they contacted the police.