Greece busts three criminal gangs that defrauded elderly of over €410,000

Greek police dismantled three related criminal organisations that operated in Agrinio, Athens and Thessaloniki, targeting senior citizens. The gangs impersonated employees of the electricity provider DEDDIE, using threats of an imminent explosion from a fake power‑line leak to intimidate victims. They set up “ghost‑phone” call centres in homes in Attica and Argolis and persuaded the elderly to place cash and jewellery in bowls or wrapped in aluminium foil outside their doors, which the perpetrators then removed without direct contact. When victims could not leave their homes, the criminals entered while the “telephone operator” kept the victim occupied on the phone and stole the valuables.

Four core members were arrested in a coordinated raid in the Attica region; investigators identified an additional 18 suspects. The total illicit proceeds exceed €410,000. Police seized a vehicle, numerous mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops and USB storage devices. A criminal‑organista­tion case has been filed against the suspects, who will appear before the court in Iia (Ipswich) district.

The operation highlights a sophisticated fraud scheme that exploited vulnerable older adults and used advanced telecommunications tricks to evade detection.