Greece dismantles organized fraud in OPEKEPE agricultural subsidies
The Greek Police’s Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (ΔΑΟΕ), dubbed the “Greek FBI”, completed the large‑scale “Operation Thresmos”. The probe uncovered five criminal organisations that had exploited the OPEKEPE system for illegal agricultural subsidies. The networks operated from Crete and the Aegean islands to Macedonia and Thrace, using forged documents, fake invoices and “technical solutions” to claim funds.
A total of 1,151 suspects were identified; more than 90 have been arrested, including accountants, local officials and heads of declaration centres, with 17 placed in pre‑trial detention. Authorities estimate the public‑sector loss at over €17 million, and at least €3 million taken from EU funds. Most of the remaining 22 accused were released on restrictive conditions such as travel bans, regular police check‑ins and cash‑surety of €5‑10 thousand. The investigation continues as prosecutors examine further cases and the full extent of the fraud.