The Cybercrime Directorate investigated a case of online fraud and forgery against a banking institution and a photographic equipment store
A case was filed against a Greek national, who was located in the context of intensive searches in the wider area of Ioannina.
It was found that he frequently changed residences in order to make it difficult to locate him, and he has been accused in the past of similar offenses
In the house where he lived, photographic equipment and supplies of great monetary value, which had been obtained fraudulently, were found and seized
The Hellenic Police 's Cybercrime Division has investigated a case of online fraud and forgery against a banking institution and a photographic equipment store. A regular procedure file has been opened against a 42-year-old Greek national, who is accused of computer fraud and forgery after use.
Specifically, the investigation of the case was carried out in the context of an investigation into a relevant complaint, according to which the above-mentioned perpetrator had purchased photographic equipment of great monetary value from a store, presenting altered proofs of transfer transactions. These proofs appeared to show that the specific amount had been transferred, through the electronic web-banking service of a banking institution, from the perpetrator's bank account to the bank account of the merchant of the photographic equipment.
A thorough and specialized investigation of the case followed by the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, during which it emerged that the transfer transactions of the amount corresponding to the value of the products were never executed, due to an insufficient balance in the 42-year-old's debit account.
Furthermore, as it was found, the 42-year-old had falsified the proof of transfer of the money, so that it falsely stated that the transferred amount had been blocked, resulting in the photographic equipment dealer being misled and proceeding with the purchase and sale of the items.
The 42-year-old, to reinforce the false representations, had also presented the store with two altered mobile phone text messages (SMS), which appeared to have been sent from the banking institution.
A preliminary investigation was ordered for the above, while the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate collaborated with the competent internet and telecommunications service providers.
Through a methodical and thorough police investigation and digital analysis of the evidence and data, the involvement of the 42-year-old Greek national in the case in question was identified and his place of residence was geographically determined.
The day before yesterday (10.1.2015) a police team of the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate carried out a police operation in the wider area of Ioannina, where the perpetrator was located and, in the presence of a Judicial Officer, a search was conducted in the house where he resided.
The on-site digital investigation and analysis verified his illegal activity, while an internal computer hard drive, as well as photographic equipment, which had been purchased fraudulently, were found and seized.
It also emerged that the 42-year-old had been repeatedly accused of fraud in the past, while he frequently changed residences in order to make it more difficult for the authorities to track him down.
The case file filed against him will be submitted to the competent First Instance Prosecutor's Office, while his participation in other similar acts is being investigated.
The photographic equipment and supplies will be returned to the owner company, while the digital evidence (internal hard drive) will be sent to the Forensic Investigations Directorate for further laboratory examinations.
