The investigation revealed that the members of the organization, at least since March 2023, were operating a state-of-the-art laboratory for the preparation of forged documents – The ring has obtained sums of money reaching 450,000 euros
The Immigration Management Department of the Directorate of Aliens of Attica, proceeded with the dismantling, in the context of an operation with the codename “ILLUMINATI”a criminal organization, which was active in the forgery of travel documents and to illegal immigration.
They were arrested for the case on Monday (5/2) in the area of Athens2 members of the organization accused of setting up a criminal organization, forgery, violation of the legislation on foreigners and possession of passports and travel documents of third parties, consecutively, while 2 more of its members are wanted.
According to ELAS, the investigation revealed that the members of the organization, at least from March 2023, they operated a state-of-the-art laboratory for the preparation of forged documentseven a new type in the form of a plastic card, in order to facilitate the illegal entry – exit of immigrants into the country, thereby obtaining financial benefit that ranged from 4,500 to 6,000 for each person.
Specifically, with the use of fake documents that they prepared themselves, the members of the criminal organization organized illegal shipments of immigrants by air from Greece to other European countries, with the main destinations being Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Portugal and Poland.
In more detail, in terms of their mode of action:
• after consulting with the migrants being promoted, they made air ticket reservations with fictitious passenger details,
• subsequently, the forger received their photographs in digital form and prepared accordingly fake travel documents, according to the virtual information written on the boarding passes,
• then, he would send the documents he had prepared in digital form for final approval to another member, who had entered into the corresponding illegal promotion agreement and arranged for the delivery of the documents in physical form.
As pointed out in the ELAS announcement, the particularly intense activity of the organization is demonstrated by the fact that they were trafficking fake documents and in cooperating networks of illegal trafficking or “legalization” of immigrants, a fact that is reinforced by the total of 1,014 travel documents of third parties and of dubious authenticity that were found.
At the same time, the enormous potential they had in the professional preparation and trade of forged documents, with a sufficient stock to cover any need, is also confirmed by the wide range of countries of the documents they possessed.
From the research carried out in the context of the business, found and seized:
• 800 plastic blank blank cards for drawing up fake documents,
• fully prepared documents from various countries (182 Identity Cards, 115 Passports, 21 Residence Permits, 19 Driving Permits),
• fake documents under preparation (374 Identity Cards, 275 Residence Permits, 23 Citizen Cards, 5 Asylum Applicant Cards),
• professional printer with the possibility of mass printing on various surfaces and with different print qualities,
• 2 devices for printing and engraving plastic cards
• plasticizer,
• 2 USB digital data storage devices,
• 2 portable computers,
• a number of stationery and micro-materials used in the preparation of forged documents,
• 3 mobile phones,
• 12,680 euros and
• two-wheeled motorcycle, as a means of transport for the distribution of forged documents.
It is estimated by the Police that the circuit has obtained sums of money that reach 450,000 euroswhile he had organized the illegal trafficking of at least 50 migrants.
For this particular operation, close cooperation was maintained with EUROPOL’s European Migrant Smuggling Center (EMSC), exchanging and analyzing operational information that led to the identification of the main suspects of the organization. During the Action Day, a EUROPOL expert was invited to assist in the real-time analysis of data using EUROPOL’s mobile data analysis unit, MOBILE OFFICE.
From the Greek side, it was implemented in the context of the implementation of the National Operational Plan (NOP) and the EMPACT 2.2 EAST MED action of the policy cycle of the European Union led by Greece, while at the initiative of the above service a relevant operational file has been initiated at EUROPOL under the code name Op. ILLUMINATI.
Those arrested are taken to the competent prosecuting authority.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
