Formation of a criminal case by the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate against two Greek citizens for fraud and illegal betting via the internet.
Twenty-two (22) cases of fraud against store owners and businesses that issue prepaid cards were investigated in various regions of Greece
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate has filed a regular procedure case against two Greek citizens (a man and a woman), aged 41 and 52 years old respectively, for fraud by complicity, by profession and by perpetration, and violation of gaming legislation.
Specifically, in the context of investigating cases of fraud and illegal betting via the internet and from the preliminary investigation conducted by the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, a total of twenty-two (22) cases were investigated, following complaints from store owners and businesses in various areas of Greece (Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Veria, Kavala, Rhodes, Samothrace, Mytilene, Corinth, Serres), which issued prepaid cards.
More specifically, regarding their modus operandi, it emerged that the perpetrators jointly, during the period from August 2013 to last May, with the aim of obtaining illegal financial gain, communicated by telephone with owners of various stores and businesses (convenience stores, mini markets, kiosks, etc.) in various areas of Greece and falsely stated that they were technicians of the company that had installed prepaid card issuing machines.
Then, under the pretext of checking the proper operation of the machines, they asked the shopkeepers to issue prepaid cards of various amounts, as well as the card code, which they would then cancel.
Upon contacting the actual management company, the owners discovered that they had been defrauded, as the above cards had never been canceled.
From the methodical and months-long police and digital investigation, it emerged that the prepaid cards were used - cashed out for betting on online gambling websites, while the action and the details of the two Greeks were identified.
Furthermore, the participation of the above perpetrators in other similar acts is being investigated, in order to precisely determine the extent of the fraud, as well as their possible involvement in other related offenses.
The case file that was formed will be submitted to the competent Prosecution Authority.
