Swedish postal worker stole birthday card cash

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A female employee at Sweden's postal service (Posten) in Malmö in southern Sweden has admitted to stealing money, gift vouchers, and lottery tickets from letters that she sorted.

The thefts were discovered after a hidden surveillance camera was installed over her work area following a tip, the Sydsvenskan newspaper reported.

The woman, who worked in mail sorting, would open colourful greeting envelopes, then pocket their contents.

Posten began its investigation in mid-September 2010, using the filmed material as evidence and the woman was arrested at the end of the month.

Upon being reported to the police, the woman confessed immediately. A subsequent search of her home uncovered large quantities of gift certificates, discount vouchers and lottery tickets, Sydsvenskan reported.

A Posten investigator told police estimated the woman could have stolen anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand kronor per day.

Several birthday cards, invitations and thank you cards were also found and police have managed to trace the majority of those concerned. A number of companies who sent gift cards have also been contacted in connection with the investigation.

The woman has been charged with breaching postal confidentiality and theft.