Greek authorities have launched new investigations into multiple suspected fraud rings tied to the country’s agricultural payments agency, OPEKEPE, after uncovering widespread abuse of European Union farm subsidies, according to information revealed by local media.

The probe follows the dismantling of a criminal organization operating in Crete that allegedly siphoned off EU agricultural funds by declaring fake grazing land or farmland registered to deceased individuals. Investigators now say similar schemes appear to be operating elsewhere in the country.

According to reporting by MEGA TV, police have identified at least eight additional networks with comparable methods. These cases are expected to be formally presented after the holiday period, as investigations near completion.

Reports say the newly identified rings involve a large number of participants and often follow a family-based structure. Authorities are also examining potential political connections linked to some of the suspects.

Of the eight suspected networks, four are being investigated by Greece’s financial police in Athens, two in Thessaloniki, and the remaining cases in Crete. Officials believe the schemes relied on coordinated false declarations to unlawfully obtain agricultural subsidies.

The expanding investigation underscores growing concerns over systemic abuse of EU funds and points to a broader, nationwide problem rather than an isolated case. Authorities have not yet announced arrests or charges related to the newly identified rings.