Serres police solve phone scams totaling over 50,000 euros, targeting four women

Authorities in Serres, Greece, have successfully investigated a string of phone scams that defrauded four women, resulting in losses estimated at over 50,000 euros in cash and jewelry. The police have identified a 24-year-old man suspected of collecting the illicit gains from the victims.

The sophisticated scams occurred earlier in July. The perpetrators, acting in an organized manner, contacted the victims by phone, falsely claiming to be employees of the electricity distribution company (DEDDIE). They convinced the women, most of whom were elderly, that there was an issue at their homes requiring immediate attention.

Under the guise of an inspection, the scammers instructed the victims to gather cash and jewelry and place them under their home's electrical panel for safekeeping. The 24-year-old suspect then visited the women's homes on July 3 and 6, collecting a total of 14,800 euros in cash and jewelry valued at 40,000 euros.

The police investigation is ongoing to locate the 24-year-old's accomplices and determine if they were involved in other similar fraud cases. The authorities are working to recover the stolen assets and bring all involved parties to justice.