Two 19-year-olds arrested for fraud involving "radioactive leak" pretext in Attica
Police arrested two 19-year-old members of a criminal organisation that defrauded citizens by posing as telecommunications company employees. Jewellery worth €10,000 was seized.
Arrest of two 19-year-olds for fraud involving radioactive leak pretext in Attica
Two members of a criminal organisation that defrauded citizens in Attica by posing as employees of a telecommunications company were arrested on Saturday afternoon, according to In.gr. The operation was carried out by police officers from the Economic Crime Prosecution Subdivision of the Organised Crime Combat Directorate.
The two 19-year-olds were arrested at the moment they were attempting to collect jewellery with a total value of approximately €10,000 from a home. Within the organisation, they had undertaken the role of "collector", whilst the group's activities appear to have begun at least from September.
Fraud methodology
The organisation had distinct roles for each member. "Telephone operators" would call potential victims, presenting themselves as employees of a telecommunications company and invoking an alleged radioactive leak with an imminent threat to their lives.
Using this pretext, they persuaded the victims to gather money and valuables and place them at a point of easy access within or outside their home. Subsequently, the "collectors" would go to the residences and remove the items, claiming an alleged need for counting or valuation.
Investigation and seizures
From the preliminary investigation, it emerged, according to the Hellenic Police, that the two arrested individuals were involved in at least one further similar case that occurred in the morning of the same day in the Attica area. One of the two is alleged to have used his vehicle for the "collectors'" movements to the victims' residences.
During the searches, a passenger vehicle and mobile phones were seized. According to the police, the organisation's aim was the systematic defrauding of citizens and the acquisition of unlawful financial benefit.
The two 19-year-olds are expected to be brought before the competent prosecutorial authority. The investigation is continuing into the possible involvement of other members of the organisation in corresponding criminal acts, as well as for determining the total financial damage that has been caused.
Source: In.gr