Μake us preferred on Google Greek police have arrested 11 people in an investigation into an corruption network operating within the building authority of Katerini, a city in northern Greece. The group is suspected of accepting cash and other benefits in exchange for issuing permits unlawfully or speeding up the processing of construction-related applications.
The arrests followed a large-scale operation on November 2, 2026, involving four employees of the municipal building authority and seven private-sector professionals, including surveyors, civil engineers, mechanical engineers and architects.
A further 64 people are named in the case file, including an employee of another public agency and a building inspector. Investigators say evidence points to their possible involvement in cases of misconduct and bribery.
Cash payments delivered inside the building authority
According to the Hellenic Police, the network began operating in December 2025 and came to light after a complaint prompted an investigation.
Public employees are accused of using their positions to issue administrative decisions illegally or improperly, or to accelerate their processing, in return for financial or other benefits. The transactions took place both inside the Katerini building authority’s offices and at external locations. In several cases, money was reportedly handed over directly at the employees’ workplaces.
Private engineers played an active role by using their professional credentials to give technical studies and topographical plans prepared by public employees the appearance of legitimacy. Their signatures and official stamps made illicit payments appear to be legitimate fees for engineering services.
Investigators say the private engineers either received part of the benefits or secured preferential treatment and faster processing for their clients.
Payments were made mainly in cash, often concealed in envelopes, diaries or other objects. Members of the group used gestures and coded language to agree on the amounts involved.
In some cases, money was passed through intermediaries or sent in parcels by courier companies to relatives, in an effort to avoid directly linking the recipients to the transactions.
151 suspected transactions uncovered
The investigation has identified 151 criminal transactions with a total value of €137,932.58. Of that amount, €4,760.58 reportedly involved goods such as household appliances, computers, mobile phones and furniture.
Police say the group also attempted to conceal the origin of its proceeds by using cash for everyday purchases and transactions, as well as through the banking system and gambling and betting companies, making the money appear legitimate.
More than €264,000 and gold coins seized
During searches of homes, vehicles, offices and business premises, officers seized €264,440 in cash, part of it stored in 30 envelopes.
The other items recovered included:
- Financial instruments with a total face value of €420,000
- 38 British gold sovereigns and four other gold coins
- Jewelry and other valuables
- Seven prescription-only narcotic tablets found without a prescription
- A mechanical stamp used to certify the authenticity of signatures
- Eight professional stamps belonging to civil engineers
- Diaries and handwritten notes
- Computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, hard drives and USB devices
- Documents related to the investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Northern Greece branch of the Internal Affairs Service of the Security Forces, which also notified Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority.
11 suspects face multiple charges
The 11 arrested face a range of charges, including bribery and receiving bribes by public officials, breach of duty, participation in a criminal group, forgery, obtaining false certification, issuing false certificates and document falsification.
The charges also include bribery and receiving bribes in the private sector, disobedience, and offenses related to money laundering, gambling regulation and narcotics.
The suspects are expected to be brought before the competent prosecutor. The 64 additional individuals named in the case file have not been identified as among those arrested.
