Money laundering: Campouris and his wife under investigation in Greece and abroad
The Financial Crime Investigation Authority is investigating the LAOS party president and his wife for a €5 million fraud against e-EFKA. The investigation has been extended to another European country.
Campouris and wife under Financial Crime Investigation Authority "microscope" — investigations in European country
For months, the LAOS party president Philippos Campouris and his wife have been at the centre of controls by the Financial Crime Investigation Authority, following their arrest for fraud against e-EFKA. According to Ethnos, the catalyst for initiating the controls was suspicious transactions detected at a Greek bank.
Controllers requested the assistance of another European country, as the money trails appear to have led authorities there. In this country, transactions and capital movements of the couple are now being investigated, with the aim of clarifying their overall financial trail. The controls continue, with the Financial Crime Investigation Authority examining available banking and financial data.
Eight arrests — four more persons sought
As Ethnos reported earlier, a total of eight people have been arrested by the Economic Crime Prosecution: two accountants, two "straw men" and two businessmen, along with Campouris and his wife. Authorities are still seeking two "straw men" and two businessmen who are alleged to be involved in the case.
The case file being formed is expected, according to reports, to include real businesses, in which dozens of invisible branches are alleged to have "sprouted". These branches, according to investigation data, were used as fictitious business activities and were part of the mechanism allegedly created by the criminal organisation.
Organised network of companies from 2021
The picture formed by officers of the Economic Crime Prosecution Sub-Directorate points to an organised network of companies that operated at least from 2021. The damage to the State is calculated to exceed €5 million.
According to investigation data, the organisation created businesses in various sectors — catering, entertainment, advertising and clothing retail — placing as managers and ostensible owners people who functioned as "straw men".
The pattern: debts, abandonment, new companies
The businesses initially appeared to be operating normally, but subsequently accumulated large debts from insurance contributions to e-EFKA and from tax obligations to the State. When the time for controls or compulsory collection measures approached, the businesses closed or were abandoned, with debts remaining with the "straw men".
In their place, new companies are alleged to have been created using the same methodology, so that the activity would continue through different corporate structures. This cycle was repeated, keeping the mechanism operational despite successive interruptions.
Centre of attention: Campouris and wife
Authorities are now placing particular emphasis on the manner of use of the real businesses and the dozens of alleged fictitious branches. SDOE investigators are examining the full scope of corporate and accounting data in order to establish who had real control, who appeared only on paper and what the trail of money and debts was.
At the centre of the investigation are Philippos Campouris and his wife, who, according to available information to date, are alleged to have held a pivotal and leadership role in the organisation. The police operation is ongoing, whilst investigations continue for the identification of the remaining persons alleged to have participated in the network.
Source: Ethnos