After a methodical and thorough investigation by police officers of the Argos-Mycenae Security Department, three (3) cases of fraud were discovered in the areas of Argolis, Ilia and Larissa.

In the context of a coordinated police operation, which took place yesterday (30.7.2024) in Attiki, by police officers of the Argos-Mycenae Security Department, two people were arrested, a 63-year-old foreigner and a 64-year-old citizen, respectively.

A case was filed against them for criminal group, fraud and violation of weapons legislation, which also includes their unknown accomplices.

In particular, in the context of the methodical and thorough police investigation carried out by the above police officers, it emerged that the arrested were members of a criminal group which, using specific tricks, succeeded in deceiving unsuspecting citizens, thereby obtaining large sums of money.

How did they act?

In particular, the members of the group called their victims pretending to be either the police and claiming that their relatives had caused a car accident, resulting in the serious or fatal injury of a minor, or the doctors and under the pretense that their relative had been involved in a car accident , resulting in his serious injury, demanded sums of money in order for their relatives to be exempted from the legal consequences or to cover their hospital expenses, respectively.

In addition, the perpetrators who had the role of communicating with the potential victims, in order to avoid informing the relatives or the Prosecuting Authorities by the victims, talked to them constantly so that the line of communication remained open, while informing the 63-year-old and the 64-year-old, who they had the role of receiving the money, for the way of receiving it.

From the police investigation so far, it has been established that during the period from 2.7.2024 to 10.7.2024, the arrested together with their unknown accomplices, in areas of the prefectures of Argolis, Ilia and Larissa, had committed a total of -3- cases of fraud , obtaining an illegal financial benefit that exceeds -53,000- euros.

What did the investigations find?

In searches carried out in their homes in Attica, the following were found and confiscated:

  • -1- war rifle,
  • -11- cartridges,
  • -4- mobile phones,
  • vehicle, as a means of committing criminal acts,
  • articles of clothing, which were worn during the commission of the criminal acts,
  • the monetary amount of -2,450- euros, as derived from the commission of criminal acts.

Those arrested will be prosecuted, while the police investigation and the preliminary investigation continue by the Security Department of Argos-Mycenae, in order to identify the accomplices of the above and verify their possible participation in committing similar crimes.

It is recalled that the following useful tips have been posted on the website of the Hellenic Police (www.hellenicpolice.gr) to avoid cases of fraud:

  • Do not be easily convinced by people who “approach” you as acquaintances of relatives and friends.
  • Be especially wary of unknown people who attempt to enter your home under various pretexts and tricks.
  • If an unknown person enters your home under any pretext (e.g. conducting research, selling a product, needing to make a call, etc.), do not allow them to go into other areas of your home than they need to and never lose eye contact with him.
  • In this case, take care of your personal belongings, in order to avoid the possibility of their removal by the method of employment.
  • Be especially wary when strangers try to convince you to pay a sum of money, under the pretext of an urgent need of a relative or friend (e.g. hospitalization). They may try the same over the phone. For the same reasons do not give in to invitations to meet (dates, etc.).
  • In cases where strangers invoke an emergency of a familiar-relative, always try to contact your familiar-relative by phone to confirm what they invoke. The communication should be done with your own phone and on your own initiative and you should not accept to speak with a person who was called by strangers.
  • In any case, state that you are not going to hand over money if your acquaintances-relatives do not show up.
  • Do not under any circumstances accept unknown persons to lead you to a Credit Shop or ATM to withdraw a sum of money.
  • Do not be easily convinced by opportunity purchases of products recommended to you by unknown persons, especially without first seeing these products.
  • Do not be persuaded by strangers who pose as employees of a Public Service or other body to fix a technical problem, if you have not previously called them.
  • Do not be convinced when strangers ask you to pay money for debts of acquaintances or relatives in public services or in shops-companies for the purchase of goods-offering services.
  • It is pointed out that hospitals or public services do not use the practice of their employees going to homes or public places and asking citizens to pay money for services they provide.
  • Always have available the phone numbers you need to contact in case of emergency (Police, Fire, Hospitals, close relatives, etc.).
  • Try to retain the characteristics of the perpetrators, as well as the vehicles they drive (registration number, vehicle make, color, etc.), to help law enforcement.
  • Always inform the police authorities, even in the event of an attempted fraud against you.