Greek police dismantle telephone‑fraud ring in Kastoria, arrest several suspects

Police in Kastoria, Greece, broke up an organized telephone‑fraud operation after a 47‑year‑old woman reported a scam in which callers pretended to be tax‑office employees and demanded payment to remove a fictitious fine. The woman was asked to gather gold jewelry, 14 pounds of bullion and €8,200, which she was to hand over to the fraudsters.

A coordinated raid by the Kastoria Crime‑Investigation Unit and the Argos Orestikos Police Station resulted in the immediate arrest of a 22‑year‑old “collector” who arrived to receive the money, two minors, and another adult who was with them. Authorities also seized the vehicle used, four mobile phones, the cash and the gold items. Investigators continue to locate three additional accomplices, and criminal complaints have been filed against the arrested adults for fraud and participation in a criminal organization, while the parents of the minors face charges of supervisory neglect.