A criminal organization whose members were active in committing fraud, theft and robbery against the elderly in areas of Attica and the Peloponnese (Kalamata, Tripoli and Corinth) was dismantled by the Western Attica Security Sub-Directorate of the Attica Security Directorate.

In order to dismantle the criminal organization, on Friday 17 May 2024, a large-scale police operation was carried out by the Public Security Department of the Western Attica Security Sub-Directorate, throughout the Peloponnese, and specifically in Corinth, Arcadia, Messinia, Argolis and Achaia.

-4- members were arrested, while the case file includes -3- more people

In this context, -4- members of the organization were arrested and against them as well as against another -3- individuals a case file was filed – as the case may be – for criminal organization, fraud, distinguished theft and robbery.

As it emerged from the in-depth investigation, which included technical-digital investigations and special investigative acts, the members of the organization, who are connected by family and friendly ties and do not exercise professional activity, at least since the end of 2022, had formed and joined a criminal organization, operationally structured and with continuous action, with the purpose of committing fraud, theft and robbery against elderly people, with a specific methodology.

How did they act?

Specifically, in terms of modus operandi:

  • using privately owned as well as rented vehicles, in order to avoid being identified, they approached elderly people on the street pretending to be friendly people, accountants or emissaries of their relatives.
  • in order to be believed, they had a well-groomed appearance and a particularly polite demeanor, while to reduce any doubt they brought a folder with documents that they showed off.
  • they persuaded the victims to hand over sums of money or jewelry, which they sometimes collected from their homes or from bank branches, where they were taken.
  • in several cases, they asked to present them with gold and jewelry under the pretext of photographing them, however, they then removed their victims from the area, distracted them and without being noticed removed the valuables.

What did the investigations find?

From the searches carried out, among other things, -4,910- euros, -3- vehicles, a lot of jewelry and a lot of mobile phones and clothes – shoes were found and confiscated.

A total of -29- frauds, committed and attempted, were detected

So far, -29- cases have been solved, specifically -16- frauds, -2- cases of fraud and theft, -1- case of attempted fraud and robbery, -4- cases of attempted fraud and theft and -6- attempted frauds, with the their loot exceeds the amount of -120,000- euros.

Known to the Authorities

At the same time, the main members of the organization have been involved in the past for a number of similar crimes, the vast majority of which concern fraud and theft against elderly people. Characteristically, more than -93- cases have been filed against arrested persons, who have been locked up in Detention Centers of the country, with loot exceeding 289,000 euros.

Those arrested were taken to the competent Prosecutor and referred to an Investigator, while the investigations for the identification and arrest of the remaining members of the organization continue.