Greek police have arrested eight people in an investigation into an alleged scheme that used companies registered under other people’s names to avoid social security payments and taxes.
The arrests were made Tuesday during raids in Attica by officers from the Financial Crime Unit. Those detained include accountants, business owners and people suspected of allowing their names to be used as the nominal owners or managers of companies linked to the scheme. Also among those arrested are Filippos Kampouris, a television presenter who has led the populist right wing LAOS party since 2023, and his wife. Investigators suspect the couple of playing leading roles in the group.
Police believe the scheme had been operating since 2021. The companies at the center of the investigation were allegedly set up in the names of third parties, used to conduct business and then shut down before the required social security contributions were paid. According to media reports some of the companies also issued invoices to LAOS.
Losses to e-EFKA, Greece’s main social security agency, are estimated at more than €1.5 million. The total cost to the state, including unpaid taxes, is believed to be about €5 million.
The police operation and investigation are ongoing.
