Fraud with the alleged purchase of thousands of surgical masks for the coronavirus, occupied the Three-member Criminal Court of Thessaloniki, with the complainant a farmer who had won the first lottery ticket in the People’s Lottery and accused a man who convinced him to “invest” 40,000 euros for the specific protective material in the midst of pandemic. The court found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 3 years in prison, suspended for 3 years.

According to the case file that was based on the millionaire farmer’s complaint and prompted an investigation by the Economic Crime Prosecution of the Thessaloniki Security, the defendant presented himself as a successful businessman, drove around in an expensive car and was accompanied by a lawyer. Initially, he reportedly suggested that they invest in the energy sector and was therefore looking for land to build a solar park.

However, when the pandemic broke out and the need for protective masks increased, the defendant – it is alleged – proposed to import 50,000 pieces from Germany at an alleged cost of €0.80 each, which they would resell for €1.20. per piece. The farmer seems to have been convinced by paying the money in cash, but the “investment” soon turned out to be a scam.

A second part of the complaint concerned the farmer’s participation in the purchase of real estate – a “fillet” in Thessaloniki that was supposed to be resold to an interested buyer, bringing a large profit to the investors. The farmer was again convinced and paid the sum of 20,000 euros as a down payment for the alleged purchase of the property, but he soon realized that this investment was also a mistake.

For the same case, a lawyer who due to his capacity was referred to be tried at the Single-Member Criminal Appeal Court of Thessaloniki (special trial) was also charged.

The accused who was convicted by the Misdemeanor Court in his plea denied the act, renouncing his responsibilities.