Greek Police Dismantle Gang Impersonating Electricity Workers for Fraud and Robbery

Authorities in Greece have successfully dismantled a sophisticated criminal ring that preyed on unsuspecting citizens by impersonating employees of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEHED). This operation, spearheaded by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, highlights the persistent threat of fraud and robbery targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly.

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The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime has dismantled a criminal organization whose members impersonated DEHED employees and committed fraud and robberies against citizens.

The modus operandi of this group was particularly insidious. They employed two main teams: one for telemarketing and another for field operations. The telemarketing team would call individuals, often seniors, claiming to be DEHED officials. They would fabricate stories about electricity outages or other issues, convincing victims that immediate action was required. This often involved persuading them to gather valuables and cash, which were then collected by the 'technicians' who visited their homes.

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The accused had formed a structured criminal group with continuous action and distinct roles, at least since July 2025.

This criminal enterprise operated with a high degree of organization, using multiple phone lines registered to non-existent foreign nationals to obscure their activities. The scale of their operation is staggering, with investigations revealing 117 cases of fraud and illicit gains exceeding 3.4 million euros. The arrested members, who were largely unemployed or had minimal declared income, demonstrate how organized crime can exploit societal vulnerabilities for significant financial gain. The police's swift action and the detailed investigation underscore the ongoing efforts to combat such pervasive criminal activities in Greece.

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The members had divided into two main groups: telephone approach groups, which operated from various locations-telephone centers, and field operations groups, which undertook the transition to the victim's home and the commission of the theft.