e-EFKA fraud ring: 11 arrests – damage to State of €5.3 million
Eleven members of a criminal organisation were arrested in Attica for fraud against e-EFKA, with a total damage to the State of €5.35 million. Among them is television presenter F. Kamburis.
Coordinated police operation dismantles network of 29 companies
Eleven members of a criminal organisation were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday (October 2026) in areas of Attica as part of a coordinated operation by the Social Security Department of the Hellenic Police. According to In.gr, the total damage to the Greek State from the organisation's activities amounts to €5,352,556.57.
Television presenter and leader of the LAOS party Filippos Kamburis and his wife are accused as the ringleaders. The case file also includes one person who was not arrested.
The charges faced by those arrested include, as applicable, participation in a criminal organisation, repeated fraud and professional fraud against the Greek State, money laundering from criminal activities, illegal possession of weapons, violations of Insurance Regulations, and tax evasion.
Activities from 2013 through a network of shell companies
According to the Hellenic Police announcement, an investigation following a prosecutor's order revealed that the accused were active at least from December 2013. The organisation operated continuously with distinct roles for each member — entrepreneurs, accountants, and straw men.
The network consisted of 29 companies operating in the sectors of food service, nightlife entertainment, advertising, and clothing. Some of these were shell companies established in the names of straw men, without physical premises or genuine business activities, in order to avoid detection.
Insurance contributions for luxury living and gambling
Members of the organisation collected insurance contributions paid by employees to e-EFKA without these being remitted to the State. They also failed to pay corresponding income tax and VAT.
The illegal proceeds were laundered through absorption by the corporate network: they were mixed in joint bank accounts and subsequently used for luxury living and gambling. Members made withdrawals from company accounts exceeding €2,000,000.
Seizures and referral to prosecutor
During searches of residences, businesses, accounting offices, and safe deposit boxes, various items and documents were found and seized. Details of the exact contents of the seizures have not been disclosed by the Hellenic Police.
The 11 arrested individuals were taken to the competent prosecutor's office.
Source: In.gr