Three arrested in Phthiotis for "tax authority satellite" fraud
Two men and one woman were arrested in Phthiotis after attempting to collect a bag of valuables from a would-be victim of a telephone scam.
Trap for the "tax authority satellite" — three arrested in Phthiotis
Three Greek citizens — two men and one woman — were arrested on Thursday 4 September 2026 in the afternoon in an area of Phthiotis, charged with attempted fraud in concert and forgery, according to In.gr.
Earlier that same day, an unknown perpetrator telephoned a Greek national impersonating an "accountant". He asked him to place money and valuables in a bag and leave it outside his home, on the pretext that they would be recorded by a purported "tax authority satellite".
The would-be victim realised the attempted deception and immediately notified the Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Lamia. Following police instructions, he placed valueless items in the bag and left it at the designated location.
A passenger vehicle arrived at the scene with the two men, who were immediately immobilised by police officers monitoring the area. Close to the same location, the female accomplice was found on foot and arrested.
During a check of the vehicle, it was established that it bore licence plates of questionable authenticity, attached by magnets over the genuine plates. From the three arrested individuals and the interior of the vehicle, four mobile phones, SIM card holders, the sum of €381.70, and toll receipts proving their journey from Attica to Phthiotis were seized. The vehicle and the forged plates were also confiscated.
The preliminary investigation was conducted by the Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Lamia. The arrested individuals were taken to the Court of First Instance Prosecutor's Office in Lamia.
The General Regional Police Directorate of Central Greece reminds that perpetrators of telephone scams present themselves as "DEDDHEE employees", "accountants", "tax officials", "police officers" or "lawyers", requesting money and jewellery under various pretexts — from fixing a technical problem to avoiding an alleged tax authority fine. The Hellenic Police recommend that the authorities be notified immediately even in cases of attempted fraud.
Source: In.gr