“Fake” accountants embezzled €1 million – How they operated

A criminal organization that carried out scams against unsuspecting citizens via phone calls—posing as accountants and stealing money and valuables across Greece—was dismantled by the Northeastern Attica Security Police, with assistance from police units in Kavala, Serres, and other regional authorities.

On Friday morning, a large-scale police operation was carried out by the Sub-Directorate for Crime Prosecution and Investigation of Northeastern Attica, with the support of EKAM special forces, OPKE units, local investigative departments, the Heraklion (Crete) Crime Unit, and a drone. The operation took place in Acharnes, central Athens, Corinth, and Heraklion.

Seven members of the organization, aged 27, 28, 32, 34, 36, and 38, were arrested. They face charges including fraud, computer fraud, aggravated theft committed jointly and repeatedly, money laundering, and weapons violations. A 23-year-old woman has been identified and is being sought.

According to the investigation, since at least December 2025, the group had formed a structured criminal network with a clear hierarchy and distinct roles.

How the scam worked

The group was divided into two main units:

• Call center operators
• Field operation teams

The call center group, which played the leading role, operated from a base in Corinth. From there, they coordinated and directed field teams across Greece.

They called unsuspecting citizens pretending to be accountants, claiming urgent needs such as:

• tax declaration issues
• eligibility for subsidies
• supposed fines

They convinced victims to hand over money, jewelry, and valuables, or to share bank account and card details.

Field teams, following instructions from the call center, would then go to victims’ homes or designated locations to collect the stolen items.

Multiple field teams were active nationwide, constantly ready to act. They used rented vehicles or cars belonging to relatives to avoid detection.

To further conceal their activities, they used numerous phone connections registered under third parties and communicated via online applications—demonstrating a high level of organization and professionalism.

Scale of the operation

Authorities solved 41 cases of fraud across multiple areas, including:

Attica (Peristeri, Ilion, Kallithea, Argyroupoli, Filothei, Agioi Anargyroi, Pefki, Heraklion, Aigaleo, Keratsini)
Northern Greece (Katerini, Kozani, Kavala, Naousa, Drama, Veria, Sithonia, Paionia, Thessaloniki)

The total illegal profit is estimated at €1,292,039.

During searches, police seized:

• €1,600 in cash
• a knuckle-duster
• a pistol and 99 bullets
• 25 gold sovereigns
• jewelry
• 2 smartwatches
• numerous phone connections
• clothing used during the crimes

Related drug trafficking case

A separate criminal group involved in drug trafficking in Attica was also dismantled, with one member linked to the fraud network.

Two additional individuals (aged 25 and 30) were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses. Another suspect has been identified and is being sought.

Authorities seized:

• 0.49g cocaine
• 3.9g cannabis
• 0.45g crystalline substance
• 2g unidentified powder
• 2 pharmaceutical tablets

All suspects were brought before the competent prosecutor.