Two 19-year-olds arrested in Attica for fraud posing as telecommunications company employees
Two 19-year-olds were arrested on Saturday in Attica as they attempted to collect jewellery worth 10,000 euros from a fraud victim.
Arrest of two 19-year-olds for fraud involving fake telecommunications company employees in Attica
Two 19-year-olds were arrested on Saturday afternoon in Attica as they attempted to collect jewellery totalling approximately 10,000 euros from a victim's residence. According to businessdaily.gr, the operation was carried out by police officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Organised Crime Countermeasures Directorate.
According to information announced by the Hellenic Police, the two young men took on the role of "collector" in an organised criminal network active since at least September. Each member of the organisation had a distinct role, with the aim of systematically defrauding citizens.
The method used by the network involved "callers" who posed as employees of a telecommunications company and claimed there was an alleged radioactive leak with an imminent danger to the lives of the victims. Using this pretext, they persuaded victims to gather money and valuables and place them in an accessible location inside or outside their homes. Subsequently, the "collectors" would take the items under the guise of counting or valuing them.
During the preliminary investigation, it was established that the two arrested men were involved in at least one other similar case that occurred on the morning of the same day in another area of Attica. One of the two is also believed to have used his vehicle to transport the "collectors" to the victims' residences.
Police officers seized a passenger car and mobile phones. The two 19-year-olds are expected to be referred to the competent prosecuting authority, whilst the investigation continues to identify any other members of the organisation and determine the total financial damage caused.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)