Dozens of frauds and thefts were committed by false electricians

The police investigation established the involvement of certain individuals in at least 44 robberies, thefts and frauds with profits amounting to more than 195,000 euros.

By order of the Agrinio First Instance Prosecutor’s Office, photographs and personal information of eight people arrested, accused of belonging to a group that posed as employees, were made public DEI or municipality and deceived citizens throughout the country.

As it turned out as a result of a months-long investigation by the Agrinio Security Sub-Directorate, members of the organization have created a criminal organization since December 2022 with the aim of committing thefts and fraud against mainly elderly people. More precisely, acting in small groups, mainly in the morning and midday hours, they found houses where elderly people lived and, posing as DEI or municipality employees, entered them.

Then, under various pretexts, they distracted their victims, while extorting or stealing large sums of money and valuables, which they then resold in a store owned by one of the participants.

The gang “struck” in Etoloakarnania, Chalkidiki, Arta, Preveza, Achaia, Thessaloniki, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Pella, Phthiotis, Boeotia, Edessa and Kilkis.

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. At the same time, their accomplice took care of the escape, waiting nearby in a car. In fact, to make it more difficult for their illegal activities to be discovered, they often changed their methods of escaping from the scene of the crime.

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

During subsequent searches in the houses, as well as in the above-mentioned store, the following were discovered and confiscated: a shotgun, 5 vehicles, a number of valuables and watches worth at least 39,700 euros, several mobile phones, notebooks, 32,500 euros in cash and 7 gold coins .

At the moment, 44 cases of robbery, fraud, theft (as well as attempts) have been solved in Atoloakarnania, Chalkidiki, Arta, Preveza, Achaia, Thessaloniki, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Pella, Phthiotis, Boeotia, Edessa and Kilkis. The illegal financial gain exceeds €195,135.

A criminal case has been opened against 8 people arrested, as well as 6 more people, including a police officer, under the following articles: criminal organization, aggravated theft, fraud, robbery, money laundering obtained by criminal means, breach of official duties, bribery of an employee , as well as violations of weapons laws.

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