Hellenic Police warn of telephone fraud rings targeting elderly

The Hellenic Police has detailed the tactics used by organized telephone fraud rings to target elderly citizens. According to police spokesperson Konstantia Demoglidou, scammers use prolonged communication to create an atmosphere of intense fear and anxiety, manipulating victims into making decisions they otherwise would not.

One notable case involved the theft of 38 kilograms of gold. In this instance, the perpetrators reportedly kept the victim on the phone for at least four hours to extract information and exert psychological pressure.

Authorities emphasized the critical importance of timely reporting. In the gold theft case, the report was made approximately 24 hours after the incident, which hindered the ability of police to mobilize immediately and locate the suspects. The police are working to increase public awareness to help vulnerable populations recognize and report these scams more effectively.