A second fraud case involving unknown perpetrators who targeted public sector employees in Crete has been uncovered by Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority. In both cases, the fraudsters managed to have large sums deposited into bank accounts without being the actual beneficiaries.
According to data available to the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, the case unfolded within just a few days. The unknown perpetrators, who appear to have operated through a website whose web address mimicked a bank, managed to collect large sums of money that were swiftly transferred abroad, notably during overnight hours.
The first time, according to the authority’s official website, roughly 150,000 euros disappeared through this unusually deceptive method. A few days later, based on further checks, the authority found itself facing a similar scenario. According to reports, the second incident occurred six days later, just before the end of August, when it was discovered that around 500,000 euros had been deposited into the same accounts using the same method, this time originating from a large municipality in Crete.
The alarm was raised immediately, as the repeated pattern raised serious questions. Greek Police (ELAS) has already been briefed at the highest level on both cases in order to determine whether, beyond the obvious shared characteristics, there are also common individuals believed to be behind the scheme, or whether any criminal violations have occurred.
Since the first case was identified, the authority, led by honorary deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court Charalambos Vourliotis, moved quickly with a series of specific actions. As a result, about half of the money that fraudsters attempted to make disappear in an instant, while also trying to cover their digital tracks, has been recovered so far.
The authority is applying the same approach to the second case, tracing the perpetrators’ movements in an effort to identify and recover as much of the money as possible.
Specifically, it was initially determined that a total of approximately 152,000 euros, spread across 55 consecutive transactions carried out within a very short period during overnight hours, each involving relatively small amounts (a method known as smurfing, or structuring), was transferred into accounts belonging to unknown individuals held at a Greek banking institution.
The authority’s investigation found that the funds were moved within a very short time from the initial fraudulent accounts to other accounts, held by unknown beneficiaries, at banking institutions based in various foreign countries. By coordinating with partner foreign agencies, the authority has so far managed to trace and secure a total amount exceeding half of the sum involved in the fraud. The investigation continues, with the goal of recovering an even larger share of the illicit proceeds and fully identifying those responsible.
The authority is once again working to recover the missing funds.
The next chapter of the story will be written by the justice system, as the case file, containing all the necessary details, is expected to be forwarded to the competent prosecutor’s office to examine the role of everyone believed to be connected to the case.
