They promised a sustainable paradise in the Swedish forest, but ended up accused of fraud, animal abandonment and environmental damage. His new destination: a hotel venture in Central America.
The dream of “eco-luxo” in Swedish forests ended in fraud, abandonment and an environmental scandal of unusual proportions. Danish chefs Flemming Schiøtt Hansen and Mette Helbæk, founders of the exclusive Stedsans in the Woods, escaped from Sweden leaving behind a fiscal debt of more than US $ 600,000, unattended animals and 158 barrels full of human feces.
The shelter, located in the finding region and composed of 16 wooden cabins, had been acclaimed by influencers and gastronomic media due to its naturalistic aesthetics and self -sustainability philosophy. But reality was another: Wastewater expressed in the forest, ducks dead by negligence and early payments that were never reimbursed.
Of the roof in Copenhagen to the forest … and then to Central America
Hansen and Helbæk settled in Sweden in 2016 after leaving Copenhagen, where they already faced fiscal problems. They turned a wooded plot into a resort that sold disconnection, organic food and holistic experiences. But in December 2024, They registered their residence abroad and disappearedleaving the complex in an unsustainable situation. In March 2025, Stedsans was officially declared bankruptcy.
“More than 150 barrels of human shit”
This was defined by Daniel Helsing, head of the environment of Hylte County, describing the state of the place after the flight of the founders. Swedish authorities described abandonment as a Environmental crimeand complaints of fraud were added by investors and guests who paid reservations for a complex that no longer worked.
In addition to human waste stored irregularly, Black waters were found by the forestwithout treatment or health control.
A flight with a new project in Guatemala
Despite legal problems, the couple was located in Guatemala, where they have already started a new hotel venture. Hansen denied having committed crimes and defended himself in social networks, attributing the accusations to the “envy” of neighbors and the “harassment” of the Swedish tax authorities, which he described as “narcissistic.”
“We thought Stedsans was the project of our life. It was our dream, our home. But taxes and bureaucracy destroyed us,” justified the chef in an extensive video uploaded to Facebook.
Complaints for fraud and fraud
As revealed by the Dagens Nyheter and Politiken newspapers, The couple continued to accept reserves and anticipated charges even after having abandoned the countrywhich could configure a Deliberate fraud. Several investors say that the recovery of lost money was cheated and judicially claimed.
Meanwhile, the official website of the resort has been discharged, but The legal consequences in Sweden are still ongoingwith potential positions for environmental and financial crimes.
Source: Ambito
