Patras trial begins for 85 defendants in major electronic fraud case

The trial of 85 defendants has commenced at the Patras Three-Member Court of Appeals regarding a massive electronic fraud ring that operated across Greece between 2020 and 2022. Five core members face the most serious charges, including the formation, membership, and leadership of a criminal organization, felony fraud, and forgery.

The criminal network utilized sophisticated social engineering and phishing techniques to target individuals, merchants, and hoteliers. Perpetrators often contacted victims by phone, posing either as interested buyers offering advance payments or as public officials claiming to process tax refunds. By sending deceptive phishing links, they gained access to e-banking credentials and emptied victims' accounts.

Investigations indicate the group's total illegal gains reach millions of euros. The operation involved numerous money mules who provided accounts to launder the proceeds, as well as fraudulent POS transactions and fictitious product returns. Hundreds of witnesses and victims from across the country have been called to testify.