Charity org accused of financial scam

Brother Christmas, a Finland-based charity organisation, has been linked with financial irregularities in its operations, reported the Finnish language daily Helsingin Sanomat.

The report said the amount of funds collected by the charity, its allocation and use of gift vouchers are shrouded in discrepancies.

However, the organisation in a statement on Sunday dismissed the accusations.

Ari Koponen, who assumes the role of the character Brother Christmas, said he did not use the gifts intended for charity to pay for his personal expenses.

“There is no problem with opening the accounts. We will just look at the convenient way of doing so,” Koponen said.

According to the organisation’s website, the recipients of the organisation’s charity include the elderly, veterans, disabled and families with children. The form of help can be anything, ranging from food to arrangement of events.

Last year, 7,000 people received “help and joy” from the organisation, according to its report.