Greek police have arrested two individuals accused of posing as professional antique appraisers to steal valuable items from elderly women in affluent northern suburbs of Athens.
A 42-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man are believed to be members of a criminal gang that gained access to homes by pretending to assess vintage or antique items. Once inside, they allegedly stole high-value jewelry and other valuables from unsuspecting victims.
Arrest in Ekali Ends String of Thefts
The suspects’ activities came to an end on Friday, July 11, when officers from the Kifisia Police Department for Crime Investigation apprehended them in the upscale suburb of Ekali. The pair were stopped while traveling in a vehicle, which led to a search and discovery of several suspicious items.
Authorities found in their possession a luxury watch, four gold rings, €5,490 in cash, $720 in US currency, and 10 Swiss francs. A wooden club and 13 narcotic pills were also recovered from inside the vehicle.
A Growing Pattern of Deception
So far, police have linked the duo to three confirmed thefts using the same method, in the areas of Ekali, Kifisia, and Melissia. The total value of the stolen items in these cases exceeds €31,000.
The suspects were taken into custody and brought before the Public Prosecutor. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether the two are connected to additional cases using similar fraudulent tactics.
