Accountant fraud scam in Crete – Two arrests, haul exceeding €30,000
A criminal gang carried out three fraud offences in Rethymno, Anogia and Chersonisos, making off with money, jewellery and gold coins. Two Greek nationals, aged 22 and 49, were arrested on 4 September.
Dismantling of fraud gang in Crete – Three cases, two defendants
Officers from the Subdirectorate of Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Rethymno dismantled a criminal gang operating in areas of Crete, using the identity of an accounting office employee as a pretext. According to In.gr, the total value of the stolen haul exceeds €30,000.
On 2 and 3 September 2026, unknown perpetrators made telephone contact with two elderly women in Rethymno and Anogia. Presenting themselves as accounting office staff, they persuaded the women to gather cash and jewellery and leave them outside their homes. Subsequently, an unknown person collected the items and fled in a vehicle.
The police investigation, conducted in cooperation with the Anogia Police Station, led to identification of the vehicle used – which had been hired by the two defendants. The 49-year-old was also identified, who took on the role of collector, receiving the valuables and boarding the vehicle to make his escape.
On 4 September 2026, at midday, officers from Chersonisos Police Station located the vehicle in question within the Municipality of Chersonisos. Both Greek nationals, aged 22 and 49, were inside it and were arrested. Jewellery valued at €12,000 was found in their possession, which – as emerged – had been taken at an earlier time from a minor. The jewellery was returned to the victim's mother.
During the continuation of the preliminary investigation, a second vehicle was located, owned by the 49-year-old, in which the jewellery taken from the two other victims was concealed. The items were returned to the rightful owners and the vehicle was seized.
The two defendants face charges of establishing and participating in a criminal organisation, committing fraud and aggravated theft on a continuing basis, as well as breaches of legislation on the prevention and suppression of money laundering from criminal activity.
The preliminary investigation is continuing by the Subdirectorate of Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Rethymno, with the aim of identifying any unknown members of the organisation and fully investigating the extent of its activities.
Source: In.gr