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59 clusters · 168 sources · 131 days · First seen · Last updated

Escalating telephone and AI fraud targeting seniors inGreece

Overview

Since July 2024, Greek police have conducted numerous operations against telephone-fraud rings targeting senior citizens. Criminal groups have increasingly employed advanced methods, including artificial intelligence to mimic voices and ‘double call’ strategies where one perpetrator poses as an official and a second poses as a police officer to build trust. In late September 2026, law enforcement dismantled a highly organized group in Zefyri, Attica, which had embezzled over 700,000 euros by impersonating DEDDIE employees, accountants, and utility representatives. In Lamia, a 90-year-old man was defrauded of 80,000 euros through a two-stage scam involving aggressive threats and a fake Financial Crimes Division officer. Similar tactics were seen in Arta, where suspects used a ‘double telephone scam’ to steal over 11,400 euros from an elderly woman, and in Katerini, where a woman lost 33,000 euros to scammers posing as DEDDIE employees. Throughout October 2026, police dismantled several more rings. In Ano Liosia, a call center operation involving eight arrests was linked to over 800,000 euros in illegal gains. In Ierapetra, a gang was caught extorting nearly 140,000 euros in cash and jewelry by posing as doctors or police officers. Other operations in Thessaloniki, Lesvos, and Heraklion targeted victims through ‘double trap’ methods or by impersonating utility workers to facilitate the theft of valuables left in predetermined locations. Newer incidents highlight extreme psychological manipulation and massive losses. In Thessaloniki, an 88-year-old woman was defrauded of approximately 4.7 million euros after scammers used the threat of electrocution to convince her to surrender 38 kilograms of gold sovereigns. In Karditsa, a sting operation led to the arrest of three individuals suspected of stealing over 146,000 euros. In Rhodope and Drama, police solved cases where utility impersonation was used to facilitate the collection of cash and gold by accomplices.

Entities

Hellenic Police · DEDDIE · Attica · Greek Police · Thessaloniki

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR shows both accounts side by side, with the sources behind each where linked.

  • "An 88-year-old woman in Thessaloniki lost 4,766 gold sovereigns and jewelry."

    vs

    "An 80-year-old woman in Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki, was defrauded of 30,000 euros in gold and cash."

    One claim states an 80-year-old woman in Stavroupoli was defrauded, while another states an 88-year-old woman in Thessaloniki lost gold and jewelry.

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Drama police solve two fraud cases targeting elderly victims

    Greek police solved two fraud cases in Drama where suspects used phone scams, impersonating utility workers and officials, to steal money and jewelry from elderly victims.

  2. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Fraud incidents reported in Kozani and Volos, Greece

    Police are investigating telephone fraud cases in Greece, including a scam in Kozani and an AI-driven voice impersonation theft in Volos.

  3. [CRIME] 9 sources
    Fraudsters target elderly citizens in Bulgaria and Greece

    Elderly citizens in Bulgaria and Greece are being targeted by organized crime groups using fake police identities and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes.

  4. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Rhodope police solve two fraud cases involving utility impersonation

    Police in Rhodope, Greece, arrested a suspect following two fraud cases where individuals impersonated electricity company employees to steal cash and valuables from citizens.

  5. [CRIME] 6 sources
    Police dismantle fraud ring in Karditsa, Greece

    Three young men were arrested in Karditsa, Greece, for a fraud ring that stole over 146,000 euros by posing as accountants and tax officials.

  6. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Katerini police solve telephone fraud targeting elderly victim

    Police in Katerini solved a telephone scam where a 77-year-old was tricked into handing over 5,000 euros worth of jewelry and coins by someone impersonating an accountant.

  7. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Hellenic Police warn of telephone fraud rings targeting elderly

    Hellenic Police officials warned of organized telephone fraud rings using psychological pressure to scam the elderly, highlighting a recent case involving the theft of 38 kilograms of gold.

  8. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Heraklion police arrest three for telephone fraud ring

    Three people were arrested in Heraklion, Greece, for operating a phone scam ring that impersonated utility employees to steal over 22,000 euros and jewelry from residents.

  9. [CRIME] 18 sources
    Theft in Greece: Scammers target elderly for millions in gold

    Scammers in Greece are targeting the elderly with sophisticated phone fraud, including a massive theft of 4.7 million euros in gold sovereigns from an 88-year-old woman in Thessaloniki.

  10. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Phthiotis: Scammers rob 86-year-old woman after three-hour phone scam

    Scammers in Phthiotis, Greece, defrauded an 86-year-old woman of 500 euros and jewelry by impersonating technicians and her daughter during a three-hour phone call regarding a fake electrical fire risk.

  11. [CRIME] 12 sources
    Ano Liosia crime ring dismantled after 800,000 euro fraud

    Greek authorities dismantled an organized crime ring in Ano Liosia that used a call center to impersonate utility workers and accountants, defrauding victims of over 800,000 euros.

  12. [CRIME] 9 sources
    Ierapetra police arrest man in 140,000 euro elderly fraud ring

    A 60-year-old man was arrested in Ierapetra for his role in a criminal gang that defrauded elderly people of over 140,000 euros through phone scams involving impersonation of doctors and police.

  13. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek lawmaker calls for action against elderly fraud

    Greek lawmaker Evangelia Liakouli has called for urgent government action to combat rising telephone and electronic fraud targeting the elderly, noting the use of AI to mimic family voices.

  14. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Greece: Authorities investigate separate fraud cases in Kozani and Boeotia

    Greek authorities are investigating two fraud cases: a 5,000-euro Viber investment scam in Kozani and a 30,000-euro telephone scam targeting an elderly man in Boeotia.

  15. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greece police arrest suspects in organized elderly fraud rings

    Greek police have dismantled two criminal organizations targeting elderly victims through telephone scams, resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of significant amounts of cash and valuables.

  16. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Greece to reclassify telephone fraud as felony regardless of amount

    Greece will reclassify telephone and electronic fraud as felonies regardless of the amount stolen, removing the previous 120,000 euro threshold and creating a specialized police unit.

  17. [CRIME] 14 sources
    Greece police dismantle multiple fraud rings targeting elderly citizens

    Greek authorities have arrested multiple criminal groups across the country for targeting elderly citizens through impersonation scams, involving the theft of significant sums of cash and jewelry.

  18. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Pyrgos: Elderly man traps fraud ring, leading to arrest

    A 73-year-old man in Pyrgos, Greece, trapped a fraud ring by pretending to comply with a scammer's request, leading to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect.

  19. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Greek police arrest suspects in Messinia and Florina fraud cases

    Greek police arrested several suspects in Messinia and Florina for fraud involving impersonation of officials and utility employees, resulting in the theft of tens of thousands of euros.

  20. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Katerini police solve 33,000 euro fraud against elderly woman

    Greek police solved a fraud case in Katerini where scammers impersonating utility employees stole 33,000 euros and jewelry from an elderly woman.

  21. [CRIME] 6 sources
    Arta police identify three suspects in double telephone scam

    Greek police have identified three suspects in a double telephone scam in Arta that defrauded an elderly woman of over 11,400 euros through impersonation of an accountant and a police officer.

  22. [CRIME] 22 sources
    Zefyri police operation dismantles 700,000 euro telephone scam ring

    Greek police arrested eight people in Zefyri for a sophisticated scam ring that stole over 700,000 euros by impersonating utility employees and police officers.

  23. [CRIME] 8 sources
    Lamia: Scammers impersonate police to steal 80,000 euros from elderly man

    A 90-year-old man in Lamia lost 80,000 euros in gold and cash after scammers impersonated police officers to facilitate a staged robbery.

  24. [CRIME] 14 sources
    Greece announces new measures to combat electronic and telephone fraud

    Greece is launching 13 new measures, including a 24-hour National Fraud Counteraction Center and stricter penalties, to combat rising electronic and telephone scams targeting the elderly.

  25. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Heraklion: 29-year-old arrested for telephone fraud

    A 29-year-old man was arrested in Heraklion for his role in a telephone fraud ring that targeted residents in Malevizi, stealing over 1,500 euros in cash and jewelry.

  26. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Karpenisi police arrest two members of a phone fraud ring

    Police in Karpenisi arrested two phone fraudsters after an officer successfully staged a sting operation following a scam attempt involving fake drone-related fines.

  27. [CRIME] 15 sources
    Greece dismantles criminal networks using AI and impersonation for phone fraud

    Greek police have dismantled multiple criminal networks using AI voice cloning and impersonation of officials to conduct large-scale telephone fraud and theft across Attica and Kavala.

  28. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Arta: Fraudsters steal 200,000 euros in jewelry from elderly woman

    An elderly woman in Arta was defrauded of over 200,000 euros in jewelry and cash by scammers impersonating a utility employee.

  29. [CRIME] 4 sources
    Karpenisi police arrest two men for attempted fraud

    Two men were arrested in Karpenisi, Greece, after attempting to scam an off-duty police officer by posing as an accountant to collect money and jewelry.

  30. [CRIME] 18 sources
    Greece police dismantle fraud rings and seize heavy weaponry

    Greek police have arrested multiple individuals involved in various crimes, including organized fraud rings impersonating utility workers, elderly exploitation, and the possession of heavy weaponry.

  31. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greece: Elderly women targeted in telephone scams

    Elderly women in Patra and Nafpaktos, Greece, have been targeted by telephone scammers, resulting in the theft of thousands of euros in cash and jewelry.

  32. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Greece faces surge in sophisticated telephone fraud and AI scams

    Greek authorities warn of rising telephone fraud involving AI voice mimicry and impersonation of officials, with recent scams in Western Greece totaling over 600,000 euros in losses.

  33. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Rhodes police arrest two for impersonating accountants in fraud scheme

    Two men were arrested in Greece after a gang in Rhodes defrauded citizens by impersonating accountants to steal cash and jewelry.

  34. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Pyrgos: Man arrested for attempting to scam elderly woman

    A man was arrested in Pyrgos, Greece, after attempting to scam an elderly woman by impersonating an accountant to steal her money. Police intercepted the suspect following a failed getaway attempt.

  35. [CRIME] 4 sources
    Paul de Greece impersonation scam targets elderly woman in Kalamos

    An elderly woman in Kalamos, Greece, thwarted an AI-powered scam where fraudsters impersonated Paul de Greece to solicit a fake 26,000 euro grant.

  36. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Greece: Authorities warn of rising telephone and AI-driven scams

    Greek authorities are warning of rising telephone scams involving impersonation of the police and celebrities using AI-generated messages and video calls to defraud citizens.

  37. [CRIME] 17 sources
    Greek police dismantle organized fraud rings in Zefyri and Crete

    Greek police dismantled two organized crime rings: a sophisticated call center in Zefyri impersonating utility workers and an accounting scam targeting elderly citizens in Crete.

  38. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Thessaloniki: 80-year-old woman defrauded of cash and jewelry

    An 80-year-old woman in Thessaloniki was defrauded of 2,700 euros and silver jewelry by scammers impersonating her accountant.

  39. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greece police dismantle criminal groups posing as accountants to defraud elderly

    Greek police have arrested members of criminal organizations posing as accountants to defraud elderly citizens of cash and valuables in multiple regions, including Nea Smyrni and Agrinio.

  40. [CRIME] 4 sources
    Agios Dimitrios: Three arrested for defrauding 88-year-old man

    Three men were arrested in Agios Dimitrios after posing as electricity workers to steal jewelry and cash from an 88-year-old man by tricking him into dropping the items from his balcony.

  41. [CRIME] 8 sources
    Messenia criminal group dismantled for 381,000 euro fraud and theft

    Police in Messenia, Greece, dismantled a criminal group of nine individuals who defrauded elderly citizens by impersonating utility workers, netting over 381,000 euros through scams and thefts.

  42. [CRIME] 6 sources
    Greek police arrest two for elderly fraud scheme

    Two men were arrested in Greece for operating a criminal organization that impersonated accountants to defraud elderly citizens in Nea Smyrni and Palaio Faliro.

  43. [CRIME] 8 sources
    Greece: Police arrest suspects in smuggling, fraud, and arson cases

    Greek police have arrested multiple suspects in connection with human smuggling rings, telephone fraud schemes targeting the elderly, and intentional arson incidents across various regions.

  44. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Boeotia: Scammers steal €400,000 and jewelry from elderly women

    Two elderly women in Boeotia, Greece, were defrauded of hundreds of thousands of euros and jewelry after scammers impersonating accountants claimed tax satellites were monitoring their homes.

  45. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Elis, Greece: Man arrested after failed elderly fraud attempt

    A 31-year-old man was arrested in Elis, Greece, after attempting to scam an elderly woman by posing as an accountant. The victim alerted police, leading to a confrontation and the suspect's arrest.

  46. [CRIME] 7 sources
    Greek police bust telephone‑scam ring targeting elderly in Florina and western Greece

    Greek police arrested a 60‑year‑old collector and two young suspects, breaking a telephone‑scam ring that stole up to €120,000 from elderly victims in western Greece and Florina.

  47. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Kilkis police chase over phone fraud injures two officers and victim

    In Kilkis, Greece, police chasing two telephone‑fraud suspects ran over two officers and a 50‑year‑old victim; one suspect was arrested, the other remains at large.

  48. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Elderly Greek man duped in phone scam forced to deliver €37,000 in Athens

    An 83‑year‑old man from Kastoria was duped by a telephone scam, forced to travel to Athens and hand over roughly €37,000 after fraudsters pretended to be tax officials.

  49. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greek police dismantle telephone‑fraud ring in Kastoria, arrest several suspects

    Greek police in Kastoria busted a telephone‑fraud gang after a woman reported a scam, arresting a 22‑year‑old “collector,” two minors and another adult, seizing €8,200, gold, a car and phones; three more accomp

  50. [CRIME] 4 sources
    Antalya Elderly Woman Saved from Phone Scam by Daughter

    In Antalya, Turkey, a daughter intercepted a phone scam on her elderly mother, who had been targeted by a caller posing as a police officer and threatening with political intimidation.

  51. [CRIME] 19 sources
    Greek police dismantle organized telephone‑fraud rings targeting elderly

    Greek police arrested members of organized telephone‑fraud rings that duped elderly women across Chios, Lamia, Volos and other areas, seizing cash and jewelry worth over €110 000.

  52. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greek police arrest foreign fraudster in €270,000 telephone scam targeting Ioannina and Metsovo seniors

    Greek police arrested a foreign fraudster who, posing as tax officials, scammed four seniors in Ioannina and Metsovo out of about €270,000, seizing cash and a gold ring.

  53. [CRIME] 12 sources
    Greece busts three criminal gangs that defrauded elderly of over €410,000

    Greek police broke up three gangs that posed as electricity‑company staff, defrauding seniors of more than €410,000 and arresting four core members.

  54. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Kozani police arrest two suspects in telephone fraud targeting elderly woman

    Kozani police arrested a 30‑year‑old woman and a 31‑year‑old man on July 7, 2026 for attempting a telephone scam on an 85‑year‑old resident, seizing their car, phones and €105.

  55. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Greek electricity provider DEHDE warns of phone scams impersonating staff

    DEHDE warns that scammers posing as its staff call from unknown numbers to demand cash, valuables or appliance data; the utility never asks for money and urges verification via its 800‑400‑4000 hotline.

  56. [CRIME] 6 sources
    22-year-old arrested in Kifisia for €120,000 telephone fraud targeting elderly

    A 22‑year‑old was arrested in Kifisia for a €120,000 phone fraud that duped an elderly woman into giving cash and gold, using a fake electricity‑company warning.

  57. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Greek police investigate telephone scams that defrauded elderly of cash, gold and jewelry

    Greek police arrested a man in Ihgoumenitsa and are probing a related scam in Pieria, where fraudsters posing as accountants duped elderly women out of cash, gold and jewellery worth over €200,000.

  58. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Varkiza, Greece police chase ends in crash after utility‑employee scam

    In Varkiza, Greece, two scammers pretending to be electricity‑company workers were chased by police, causing a multi‑car crash; they fled on foot and remain at large while investigators examine their vehicle.

  59. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Greece Police Detain Suspects in Fraud and Armed Robbery Cases

    Greek police arrested a 28‑year‑old for fraud targeting seniors in Almyros and a 41‑year‑old Turkish man for robbery and attempted murder in Argostoli, both cases under investigation.

Sources

072info.com · 24ur.com · 360stepeni.mk · agrinionews.gr · aixmi-news.gr · alfavita.gr · alphatv.gr · anagnostis.org · anatolh.com · argolikeseidhseis.gr · argumenti.rs · athensmagazine.gr · athina984.gr · atvbl.rs · bizznews.gr · bloko.gr · buerstaedter-zeitung.de · bug.ba · burgas24.bg · bursahaber.com · businessdaily.gr · chiosnews.com · cnn.gr · cretaone.gr · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmacijanews.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · dete.gr · dialogos.com.cy · dimokratia.gr · dimokratianews.gr · dimokratiki.gr · dnews.gr · domzalec.si · e-ptolemeos.gr · e-radio.gr · e-thessalia.gr · e-vima.gr · efsyn.gr · en.protothema.gr · enikos.gr · epirus-tv-news.gr · epirusnews.eu · epiruspost.gr · ertnews.gr · ethnos.gr · evima.gr · fimotro.gr

This summary has been updated 40 times: see revision history