Police operation in Roma settlement in Larisa – one arrest for fraud and extortion
Greece's FBI launched an operation in the settlement of the Vilanakis family in Larisa. One person was arrested carrying a weapon.
Police operation in Vilanakis settlement: arrest with weapon in Larisa
A major police operation has been underway since the early morning hours in Larisa, according to skai.gr. The action by Greece's FBI is targeting members of a criminal organisation accused of fraud and extortion against citizens.
Police sources report that investigations are focused on the settlement where the Vilanakis family, a Roma family with a serious criminal record, resides, according to police. A case file has been prepared against them for a series of frauds and extortion cases.
Family members had been arrested a few months ago during a previous operation. On the orders of a prosecutor, their photographs were released to the public at that time so that victims could identify them and contact the authorities. Police sources emphasise that this public release played a catalytic role in getting citizens who had fallen victim to the family to speak out.
So far, one person has been arrested, who was found to be carrying a weapon. The operation remains in full progress.
According to the case file that has been prepared, members of the family were living in villas and driving expensive cars, whilst at the same time declaring zero income and appearing as tent dwellers.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)