Helsinki police suspect a 40-year-old taxi driver of committing several rapes in the city.
Police said the suspect has been driving a car with a taxi sign on the roof and picking up unaccompanied women from taxi ranks. Police believe he has provided his victims with alcohol and possibly other intoxicants while pretending to bring them to their intended destination, according to a release issued on Wednesday.
However, the individual is is instead suspected of driving the passengers to an apartment outside Helsinki, where police believe he has raped a number of victims.
Police said they suspect that there is more than one victim, but said they did not wish to comment further on the exact number of victims at this stage of the investigation.
The suspected offences occurred during the month of April, and other possible victims may not have come forward yet.
"Based on the facts uncovered during the preliminary investigation, police have reason to believe that the suspect has committed similar sexual offences against as-yet unidentified persons as well," according to Detective Inspector Jutta Antikainen of the Helsinki Police Department.
Police have asked individuals who suspect they may have been victims of a similar crime to notify authorities at: (during office hours) 0295 471 612 or by e-mail seksuaalirikokset.helsinki@poliisi.fi.