Μake us preferred on Google A woman in central Greece was defrauded of more than $400,000 and jewelry after scammers posed as tax officials and an accountant, according to Greek police.
The incident took place around midday on August 8 in the Boeotia region. An unidentified woman called the victim and falsely claimed to be an accountant, telling her that authorities were conducting a tax-related inventory of her assets.
The caller persuaded the woman to place $400,000 in cash, along with jewelry and other valuables of undetermined value, in a bag and leave it outside her home.
Another unidentified person then spoke to the victim, posing as a supposed tax official, in an effort to convince her to hand over the money and valuables.
Suspected collector identified
Following an investigation, officers identified a Greek national linked to the criminal group.
Police said the man had at least the role of the group’s “collector”, driving his privately owned car to the location where the bag had been left. According to investigators, members of the group used the vehicle to reach the location, take the bag and flee.
Police said the man had previously come to the attention of law enforcement authorities for robbery, theft, fraud, drug-related offenses and other crimes.
The preliminary investigation was conducted by the Livadeia department, and the case file will be submitted to the competent prosecutor’s office.
Police warn older people about scams
The Police Directorate said investigations and operations targeting fraud will continue, while again urging residents, particularly older people, to remain alert.
According to police, scammers may call victims or approach them unexpectedly while pretending to be employees of the Public Power Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), accountants, tax officials, police officers, lawyers or acquaintances of relatives.
They may demand money or jewelry under various pretexts, including supposed technical or electrical problems, tax declarations or inventories, or debts owed by victims or their relatives.
Greek police advise people not to trust strangers who claim to be public officials or service providers, particularly if they arrive at a home without being contacted first. Public agencies do not send employees to homes or public places to demand money or jewelry for services, police said.
People should also be cautious of anyone claiming to be an acquaintance of a relative or friend, or asking for money because of an emergency involving someone they know.
If a caller claims that a relative or friend is facing an emergency, police recommend contacting that person directly using a phone number chosen by the victim, rather than speaking to someone provided by the caller.
Police also advise people to clearly refuse to hand over money or jewelry and never allow strangers to take them to a bank or ATM to withdraw cash.
