The Police managed to ascertain the activity of a criminal organization whose members were active in committing fraud in Attica under the pretext of selling used vehicles.

An indictment was filed against 8 people for criminal organization, fraud and forgery committed and attempted as an accomplice and as a follow-up by people who commit such acts habitually and professionally.

In particular, according to ELAS, in the context of the investigation, it emerged that the members of the organization, at least since July 2023, had set up a criminal organization, with continuous and structured action and distinct roles, and committed fraud against citizens throughout the territory, with for the purpose of obtaining illegal income.

In order to achieve their purpose, the defendants posted on an online platform advertisements for the sale of used vehicles in good condition and at very favorable prices, while to give credibility to the advertisement they provided photos and technical characteristics of the vehicles, as well as their detailed contact information. At the same time, they also maintained an open-air unguarded area in Attica, which they used as a “showcase” and presented it as the headquarters of a car garage business.

In fact, in order to confuse prospective buyers, a member of the organization presented himself as the owner of two companies, which, however, were suspended from registration since the previous year.

In terms of their modus operandi, the defendants, after making initial telephone contact with interested buyers, would accept or invite them or persons they trusted to come to the yard to inspect the vehicle they had expressed interest in or present them with other options. vehicles, in case the same was not “available”.

There, they presented vehicles – “decoys”, which were first exposed for sale and then, under various pretexts, they claimed that their delivery would be delayed. Afterwards, they postponed the delivery of the vehicle, until the definitive cessation of their communication with the victims, after having appropriated the initially collected sums of money.

Characteristic of the way they operated was that in order to strengthen the prestige of their “business” they used various methods, which included repayment facilities in installments, inspection by a mechanic of the buyer’s choice, processing a transfer and assuming its costs as well as displaying the vehicle at the site of the buyer.

From the investigation so far, their involvement in eight 8 cases of fraud has been established, with the illegal benefit from them amounting to 45,600 euros.

The case file that was created was submitted to the competent prosecuting authority.