These are the members of the gang that defrauded elderly people throughout Greece; their haul totaled over €700,000

The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) released the identities and photographs of 18 gang members responsible for scams targeting the elderly throughout Greece.

These individuals had formed two criminal organizations and one gang and posed as employees of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) or as accountants. They had made more than 700,000 euros from their activities, while police uncovered a total of 39 cases of fraud, theft, and attempted crimes.

The police dismantled the organizations following coordinated operations carried out on the morning of Thursday, October 29, in Argolis, Messenia, and Attica, during which 10 key members of the rings, aged 21 to 39, were arrested.

How they operated

According to the investigation by the Nafplio Sub-Directorate for Crime Prosecution and Investigation, the defendants had developed an organized telephone scam operation, with specific roles and different operational centers.

The perpetrators contacted unsuspecting citizens and, depending on the case, posed as employees of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) or as accountants. Using false claims, they attempted to gain their victims’ trust and convince them to hand over money and jewelry.

The activities of the three criminal rings extended to Argolis, Corinthia, Arcadia, Aetolia-Acarnania, and other regions of the country, with the first recorded incidents dating back to March 2026.

The Corinth ring, with a haul of nearly 483,000 euros

The first criminal organization operated a call center in the greater Corinthia area and was active from May 30 to October 16, 2026. Police identified 10 individuals as being involved, five of whom were arrested.

This ring is believed to be responsible for at least 25 criminal offenses, with the illegal financial gain estimated at 482,766 euros.

Nea Kios: Eight suspects and €210,150 in proceeds

The second organization had set up its call center in the Nea Kios area of Argolis and is alleged to have operated from March 22 to October 8.

Six Greek nationals and two foreign nationals were identified in connection with the case, and at least 11 instances of fraud and theft were uncovered.

The total haul of this particular group amounts to 210,150 euros.

Zefyri: Third ring with a haul of over 15,000 euros

The third group was based in Zefiri, Attica, and was active for a shorter period, from August 19 to 26, 2026.

Police identified three members, all Greek nationals, and solved at least three criminal offenses. The illegal financial gain attributed to the gang exceeds 15,000 euros.

During simultaneous searches conducted at the residences and vehicles of those involved, police officers located and seized:

• 39 mobile phones.
• 33 telephone lines.
• Nine vehicles allegedly used to facilitate the criminal activity.
• A large quantity of jewelry and other valuables.
• Pairs of license plates from non-operational vehicles.

The findings will be examined as part of the ongoing preliminary investigation to determine whether the defendants are also involved in other cases.

Criminal charges have been filed against those involved for forming a criminal organization, fraud, grand theft, and attempted grand theft, as applicable.

Specifically, the arrested individuals are:

• Dimitrios Stravakos, son of Ioannis and Christina, born May 10, 1988, in Kalamata

• Panteleimon Dimitropoulos, son of an unknown father and Eleni, born May 9, 1992, in Kalamata

• Ioannis Karagounis, son of an unknown father and Paraskevi, born December 28, 1990, in Kalymnos

• KARAGKOUNIS, Theodoros, son of Nikolaos and Nikoletta, born July 8, 1992, in Argos

• MOSCHO, Mario, son of Demosthenes and Frederica, born December 13, 1987, in Athens

• KARACHALIOS Christos, son of Evangelos and Evangelia, born February 20, 2001, in Nafplio

• KARAGOUNIS Dionysios, son of Nikolaos and Niki, born August 22, 1993, in Tripoli

• DIMITROPOULOS Konstantinos, son of Athanasios and Aikaterini, born June 3, 2005, in Argos

• ANASTASOPOULOS Konstantinos, son of an unknown father and Maria, born October 11, 2001, in Kalamata

• (last name) MUSHTAQ (first name) TEHSEEN, son of MUSHTAQ and KOUSAR BIBI, born September 10, 2003, in Pakistan

and those not arrested:

• KALYVA Konstantinos, of unknown father and Krystalenia, born November 7, 2002, in Tripoli

• (surname) HUSSAIN (first name) IJAZ, son of NAWAZ and BIBI, born January 1, 1978, in Pakistan

• LENTERIS Thrasyvoulos, son of Vasileios and Agapi, born December 24, 1957, in Panariti, Argolis

• LEGERI, Sofia, of unknown father and Anna, born September 3, 2005, in Argos

• LENTERI Frederiki, daughter of Thrasyvoulos and Maria, born November 11, 1991, in Argos

• PANAGIOTOPOULOU Panagiota, daughter of Nikolaos and Maria, born October 24, 1996, in Kalamata

• KARAGKOUNI Paraskevi, daughter of Georgios and Aikaterini, born February 19, 1976, in Argos

• MOSCHOS Christos, son of an unknown father and Sophia, born November 29, 2004, in Nafplio

Source: In.gr