May 2, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Policeman – member of a criminal organization that committed robberies and frauds


The Agrinio Police Department liquidated a criminal organization whose members committed thefts, robberies and frauds, posing as employees DEI or municipality.

The victims of the attackers were mainly elderly people. A police officer was also found among those arrested. According to the message ΕΛ.ΑΣeight members of the organization were arrested, and a criminal case was opened against them and six other people, including a police officer.

As it turned out as a result of a months-long and methodical investigation, members of the organization, since at least December 2022, created a criminal organization with the aim of committing thefts and fraud against mainly elderly people. Acting in small groups, mainly in the morning and midday hours, they found houses where pensioners lived and, posing as DEI or municipal employees, entered the house.

Then, under various pretexts, they convinced their victims to give them money and valuables, which they then resold in a store run by one of the members of the criminal organization.

A characteristic element of the “professionalism” with which they acted was that they defined clear roles among themselves, with a division of responsibilities for approaching victims and for “guarding” the field of action. While their accomplice, who was nearby in a car, made sure that the attackers, having finished their dirty deed, could quickly escape from the scene. To make it more difficult to uncover their illegal activities, they changed their methods of escaping from the crime scene.

In relation to the police officer involved in the case, it turned out that he was familiar with the activities of the criminal organization and demanded sums of money from its members (protection). At the same time, as it was established, he informed the members of the organization that they were wanted and other information.

The liquidation of the organization took place on Friday, September 29 in Alexandria (Imatia) as part of a coordinated police operation. During searches in houses, as well as in a store selling stolen goods, the following were discovered and confiscated:

  • shotgun,
  • 5 vehicles,
  • a number of valuables and watches worth at least 39,700 euros,
  • many mobile phones,
  • notebooks with information (accounting),
  • 32,500 euros and 7 gold coins.

Currently in Aitoloakarnania, Chalkidiki, Arta, Preveza, Achaia, Thessaloniki, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Pella, Phthiotis, Boeotia, Edessa and Kilkis 44 cases of robbery, fraud, theft, and their attempts were solved. The illegal financial gain exceeds €195,135.

Those arrested were taken to the prosecutor’s office. An investigation to fully understand the extent of their illegal activities continues.



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