More than 500 bank accounts and hundreds of linked and prepaid cards were used by its members of a criminal organization defrauding online betting company and succeeding in extorting more than 200,000 euros.

The head of the organization, as it became known from EL.AS, was a mother and son (they were arrested), while 7 other people were identified. A criminal case was filed against the two arrested for forming a criminal organization, embezzlement, forgery, violation of gaming legislation and money laundering, while the rest are being sought. The two arrested were taken to the investigator in order to apologize.

As announced by the Economic Police Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece, the members of the disbanded criminal organization, since 2020, were committing fraud against an online betting company, using the “bonus abuse” method in the area of ​​Thessaloniki.

They used fake IDs and documents, opened bank accounts, issued cards linked to those accounts and proceeded to register as ‘bettors’ with the betting company in question. Then, taking advantage of the registration bonus and the simultaneous betting on events with a double possible outcome, they obtained an illegal financial benefit, which exceeds 200,000 euros.

According to the Police, in order to achieve their purpose, they had created -529- bank accounts, while they had issued – linked -596- cards to accounts and prepared -619- prepaid cards.

In searches carried out in homes and business premises, the following were found and confiscated:

  • number of photocopies of IDs,
  • number of mobile connection packages,
  • number of bank cards,
  • -14- stamps of alleged police officers,
  • equipment and identity forgery,
  • -11,010- euros,
  • -3- mobile phones and
  • a number of documents related to their illegal activity

In a statement, the Police remind that citizens can contact, anonymously or by name, the telephone number 11012 or the website of the Greek State (gov.gr) “Complaint for financial crimes”, to provide information or to report illegal and intrusive actions or activities against the sector of the economy, public property, as well as social and insurance welfare and rights.