Phone scams targeting elderly people have become a serious threat, according to Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, speaking in an interview on MEGA NEWS 104.6. The minister announced that the penalty for those behind these crimes is set to be upgraded to a felony.
Michalis Chrysochoidis described these scams as an “epidemic,” noting that incidents now occur almost daily and number in the dozens, whether carried out by phone or through digital means. On Monday (9/1), a meeting was held with relevant agencies, including representatives from banks and the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE), since scammers frequently exploit these channels to extract money from elderly victims.
Speaking on Iordanis Chasapopoulos and Anthi Voulgari’s show on MEGA NEWS RADIO 104.6, the minister announced that procedures are already underway to reclassify the scamming of elderly people as a felony.
As he put it: “Let’s start a collaborative effort so that first of all we toughen the legislation. These acts need to be classified as felonies, with particularly aggravating circumstances when the victims are elderly, meaning those who deceive and mislead elderly people and take their assets. We’ve set up a Greek FBI-style unit within the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime that will deal exclusively with these scams.”
