The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate investigated a fraud case involving the alleged granting of bank loans via the Internet.
A regular procedure case was filed against two Greek citizens and one foreigner.
They followed a "Nigerian scam"-style methodology as they lured their victims via the internet and, after convincing them to supposedly issue low-interest loans, demanded various amounts of money for alleged processing fees.
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, within the framework of targeted actions aimed at combating and prosecuting illegal economic activities, investigated a case of fraud via the Internet, for the alleged granting of loans.
In this context, a regular procedure file was filed against a 68-year-old Greek national, a 47-year-old Greek national (mother and son) and a foreigner, who is wanted.
According to the methodology they followed, they misled interested parties, falsely promising that they offered immediate and easy loans, with a particularly low interest rate and favorable repayment terms.
The investigation into the case began following a complaint by a 59-year-old Greek national, according to whom, while in a difficult financial situation, he came across an advertisement on the internet that concerned the granting of bank loans on particularly favorable terms.
He then contacted a Greek citizen, resident abroad, by telephone and via email, with whom they agreed to issue a loan, initially in the amount of five thousand (5,000) euros, with the complainant paying (350) euros, which corresponded to an advance payment for alleged file costs.
The final amount of the alleged file costs would arise during his meeting with a colleague in Greece.
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate immediately conducted a preliminary investigation to investigate the accused and verify the identity of the perpetrators.
As part of the preliminary investigation, a thorough and in-depth police and digital investigation of the available digital evidence and data was conducted, resulting in the identification and location of the 68-year-old Greek national, who was active in Greece.
Subsequently, the involvement of the 47-year-old Greek national, resident abroad, on whose behalf the 68-year-old was acting, was identified. In addition, a foreigner, an associate of the 47-year-old, is also involved in the case, and his details are being investigated.
As it turned out, the 47-year-old was fishing for his victims via the internet and after convincing them to take out low-interest loans, he would direct them to contact his associate, who would take care of receiving the "file fees" and sending the money to him.
In a search conducted yesterday (08-12-2015), at the 68-year-old's home in Athens, her illegal activity was identified and relevant evidence of money transfers from various individuals was found. In addition, a mobile phone was found and seized, which will be sent to the Criminal Investigations Directorate for laboratory tests and a comprehensive digital investigation of the case.
The regular procedure file formed for the case will be submitted to the Athens First Instance Prosecutor's Office, while the competent foreign authorities were informed, through the Directorate of International Police Cooperation, of their own actions regarding the 47-year-old.
In this context, citizens are asked, in order to avoid incidents of fraud, to be particularly careful, not to be convinced by deceptive promises and in such cases to contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Service at the following contact details:
- By phone: 111 88
- By sending an e-mail to: ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
- Through the application for smart phones with iOS – Android operating system: CYBERKID
- Via Twitter "SOS Cyber Alert Line": @cyberalertGR
