Dismantling of fraudsters in Spata: 6 arrests, 900 attempted frauds, haul of €240,000
A criminal organisation operating from a rented house in Spata committed 7 confirmed frauds and up to 900 attempted frauds. Six members, aged 17–21, were arrested.
Criminal organisation in Spata: telephone centre, "strike teams" and victims across Attica
Six people aged 17 to 21 were arrested following an operation by the Prosecution and Investigation Department for Crime in North-Eastern Attica, which dismantled an organised criminal group operating from a rented house in Spata. According to Dikastiko.gr, authorities monitored activity at the property for days before proceeding with the operation.
During the arrest, the six suspects resisted police attempts to apprehend them. Together with individuals who have not yet been traced, they had formed an organisation with the aim of systematic thefts and frauds. All members were connected to one another through family or friendly relationships.
Two-tier hierarchical structure
The group operated with a hierarchical structure and two distinct sub-groups. The first handled the telephone centre they had set up in the rented house; the second conducted operations directly at victims' homes.
From this "operations centre" they contacted unsuspecting citizens, mainly elderly people, throughout Attica. The telephone numbers of prospective victims were obtained from telephone directories. Calls were made from devices and numbers that were frequently changed so they would not be traceable.
The "power cut" scenario
The most common tactic was to present themselves as employees or associates of an electricity supply company. The callers claimed that a current leak or fault had been detected at the victim's house, posing a safety risk. Once the victim was persuaded, the "strike team" would immediately take over.
Members who arrived at the house would direct victims to collect money, valuables and jewellery and leave them outside their door, under the pretext of "safety". At the same time, someone from the telephone centre would maintain continuous contact with the victim, for two purposes: to maintain their trust and to prevent any visual contact with the perpetrators who were outside the house. In this way, victims in most cases had no information about the perpetrators.
Alternative scenarios and break-ins
In other cases, the callers presented themselves as police officers or as relatives of the victims, claiming an urgent need. If a victim refused to leave items outside or was difficult to persuade, the "strike team" would break into the house by exploiting insecure entry points — windows or doors that were not locked.
In each instance, field members followed specific instructions received in real time from the leader who remained at the Spata house.
Haul of €240,000, nearly 900 attempted frauds
So far, 7 thefts and frauds have been confirmed with a total haul valued at €240,000. Recorded attempted frauds number close to 900, according to authorities.
During the operation, mobile telephones, telephone directory pages, vehicles, wallets, personal documents and hundreds of notes in euros were seized. These findings strengthen, according to police, the picture of an organisation that operated systematically and on a large scale.
Referral to investigating magistrate
All those arrested were brought before the competent prosecutor, who referred them to the investigating magistrate. The investigation continues to locate remaining members of the organisation who remain at large.
Source: Dikastiko.gr