October 10, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

45 hours for €1.5 million: the trail of a Chilean gang in Vari


Greek police continues to investigate a series of daring thefts at villas in the southern suburbs Athens.

As previously written “Athens News”at the center of the matter is the so-called “Chilean gang”which is associated with the robbery of a shipowner’s villa in Vari and kidnapping 45 luxury watches costing more 1.5 million euros.

Investigators are now looking into whether the same group may have been behind several more similar raids on luxury homes in the southern suburbs. Units fighting organized crime are in sight of at least four theftscarried out according to a similar scheme.

Chilean gang, Uber and the shipowner's villa: theft worth €1.5 million

Villa robbery in Vari happened December 13, 2025. According to Greek media, the attackers entered the territory by climbing over the fence, then reached the house and opened the balcony door. After that, they searched the premises and took away collectible watches from famous luxury brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and others.

How the group operated

The scheme, according to police, was precise and professional. Participants chose isolated villas in expensive areas where, according to their calculations, jewelry, watches and cash could be found. After that, they entered the territory, climbed onto balconies, opened doors and quickly took away the most valuable things.

To disguise themselves, the criminals used hoods, gloves and special clothing, trying not to leave traces and not allow CCTV cameras to record their faces. This is globalization: some fly to Greece to see the Acropolis, others take them out of their villas Patek Philippe. The tourism sector is certainly diverse, but not to the same extent.

According to new data, in the case of the shipowner’s villa, the investigation sees no signs of inside information. The version is based on the fact that the group members chose targets based on the area, the level of isolation and the estimated wealth of the owners.

Trail from Korydallos

A separate role in the case, according to Greek media, could be played by persons associated with already imprisoned members of the criminal group. One of the organization’s alleged leaders is in prison Corydalloslike his brother. The investigation is examining whether instructions and coordination could continue even from prison.

The materials also include 23-year-old Greek citizenwho is called the partner of one of the group leaders. According to investigators, she could help in finding luxury homes, renting housing and logistics for participants. It is details like these that turn an ordinary theft into a story about an organized network, where some come, others help on the spot, and others coordinate from behind bars. The system, as we see, works. Just not the one that should.

Where did the clock go?

Two suspects in a villa robbery in Variaccording to publications, have already been installed, but they have not yet been found in Greece. Investigators believe that they could have traveled to another European country and continued similar crimes there.

Information about the suspects was transmitted through Interpol competent services of other countries. Police are trying to establish possible links between the group and other similar thefts in Europe, including criminal networks known as LOS 21:30.

Kidnapped 45 hours have not yet been found. According to police estimates, a significant part of the collection could have been sold outside Greece, presumably to Germanyjust a few weeks after the robbery. For a collector’s watch, this is almost the ideal product: small size, huge price, international market and buyers who sometimes ask too few questions.



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