Chilean gangaccording to the police, carried out of the villa Greek shipowner 45 luxury watches worth more than €1.5 million. The investigation believes that the commands could have come from prison Corydallos.
Greek police investigates a major theft from a shipowner’s villa in the southern suburbs of Athens: the prey of the criminals was 45 luxury watches total cost more than 1.5 million euros. According to the investigation, an organized group of citizens was behind the raid Chileand commands could come from prison Corydallos.
The theft has been committed December 13, 2025. As a preliminary investigation established, two members of the group entered the villa, climbed over the fence and, crawling so as not to fall into the field of view of security and cameras, reached the balcony door. Having broken it, they entered the house and began looking for valuables.
They were stolen from the mansion 45 luxury watches leading world brands. Among them, reportedly, were not only expensive production models, but also collector’s items made specifically for the owner and his family members. The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at more than 1.5 million euros.
How the group operated
According to investigators, the gang members arrived in Greece November 20, 2025 from Barcelona And Romeusing free movement within the zone Schengen. It is the lack of passport control on domestic routes EUaccording to the police, facilitated the movement of criminals between countries.
The first of the two suspects left Greece the very next day after the theft, flying to Barcelona. The second left nine days later, also to Spain, presumably with a significant portion of the stolen items.
While in Greece, members of the group lived in short-term rental apartments and moved around Athens exclusively through ride-hailing apps, including Uber. This arrangement allowed them not to use their own cars and not leave unnecessary traces. Crime, as it turns out, has also undergone digitalization. Great, all that remains is to issue her a tax number.
Trail from Korydallos Prison
The investigation considers the citizen to be the key figure in the case Chilewho is already in prison Corydallos in an old case of theft from luxury homes. According to the police, even while behind bars, he continued to lead the group, coordinate the actions of accomplices and organize the arrival of performers from abroad.
Investigators believe a woman, a relative of the alleged group leader, also played an important role. She, according to the police, was engaged in renting apartments and organizing transport through third parties, so as not to attract the attention of law enforcement agencies.
During a search of her house, the following were discovered and seized:
- many fake documents from Mexico, Spain And Chile;
- passport of the alleged group leader;
- documents on money transfers;
- branded women’s bags and jewelry.
“Crime tourism” and possible connection to LOS 21:30
The police link this case to the phenomenon of the so-called crime tourismwhen organized crime groups move from country to country for short, pre-planned raids. The targets are, as a rule, expensive houses, villas and objects where you can quickly get liquid loot: watches, jewelry, cash and luxury items.
According to investigators, this particular group systematically moved across European countries, committed thefts in luxury homes and quickly left the country after the attack. This tactic seriously complicates the work of the police: criminals do not live permanently in the area, do not use their usual routes, and quickly disappear into the European transport space.
The group’s possible connection with a Chilean gang is being separately verified. LOS 21:30which European law enforcement agencies associate with a series of thefts and robberies in different countries. While this connection is being studied, it is therefore premature to talk about it as an established fact. But the very nature of the crime is a quick entry, a prepared raid, expensive loot and exit through other countries. Schengen — fits into the scheme of transnational mobile groups.
Editorial comment
This story shows the ugly side of European openness. Schengen convenient for tourists, businesses and ordinary citizens, but professional criminal groups also take advantage of the same opportunities. When borders within Europe are virtually porous and criminals move faster than national police can exchange data, luxury villas become part of the international route.
A separate issue is managing a criminal network from prison. If the investigation’s version is confirmed, it will no longer be just a case of watch theft, but an indicator that even imprisonment does not always break the ties of organized crime. In a normal system, prison should isolate the gang leader. In reality, it seems to sometimes turn into an office with bars. Very modern, but for some reason without any benefit to society.
The investigation is ongoing. The police are checking the possible involvement of the group in other similar thefts in Greeceand beyond.
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