PRESS RELEASE – The Directorate for the Prosecution of Electronic Crime (DIE) has investigated a case of a large number of frauds against entrepreneurs and shopkeepers in Greek territory
A regular procedure case was filed against two (2) Greek citizens for fraud by complicity, by profession and by continuation
The perpetrators convinced businessmen and owners of various stores and businesses to issue prepaid credit cards for online transactions and fraudulently obtained codes , obtaining large sums of money.
A total of twelve (12) cases were investigated, while the total amount of fraud with the above method of action is being investigated, as there are hundreds of incidents per case
The Directorate for the Prosecution of Electronic Crime (DIE) investigated a case of a large number of frauds against businessmen and shopkeepers, in various areas of Greek territory.
A regular procedure file was filed for this case against two Greek citizens, aged 43 and 53, who are accused of fraud by complicity, by profession and by perpetration, as well as for violations of gaming legislation.
In particular, the thorough police investigation by the Cybercrime Directorate (DIE) found that the above perpetrators, together and for a long period of time (from April 2013 to August 2014), committed a large number of frauds against entrepreneurs and owners of various stores and businesses, as they fraudulently persuaded them to issue prepaid online shopping cards and extracted their codes, thus obtaining an illegal financial benefit amounting to several tens of thousands of euros.
So far, at least twelve (12) cases of fraud have been investigated in various areas of the country, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Halkidiki and Preveza, while the total amount they gained from their illegal activities is being investigated, as there are hundreds of incidents per case.
More specifically, regarding the methodology of action used by the perpetrators (modus operandi), it emerged that they were calling owners and entrepreneurs of various stores and businesses (convenience stores, mini markets, kiosks, etc.) in various regions of the country and falsely claiming to be technicians for a company that has installed machines for issuing prepaid cards for online transactions in their stores.
Subsequently, they asked them to issue specific prepaid cards, for an amount of one hundred (100) euros, and claiming that they were conducting an inspection to verify the proper operation of the machines, they asked them for their relevant code, while informing them that after the inspection, the cards would be canceled.
In subsequent communication with the actual management company, the store owners discovered that they had been defrauded, as the cards in question had never been canceled, but had instead been used immediately in various online transactions.
Through the methodical and systematic police and digital investigation of the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE), in collaboration with the competent prepaid card management company and the internet and telecommunications, the details and actions of those involved were identified.
However, in relevant searches carried out to locate the perpetrators, it was not possible to locate their residential addresses as they have moved to unknown addresses, which they did continuously, to avoid being identified and arrested by the prosecution authorities.
From the progress of the investigation, it was found that the defendants were constantly applying the above methodology of action and the amounts they obtained from this fraudulent activity were used - cashed out, in illegal betting, on online gambling or online shopping websites.
Additionally, the perpetrators' participation in other similar acts is being investigated, in order to precisely determine the extent of the fraud, while at the same time their possible involvement in other related offenses is also being investigated
In fact, in the past, a related criminal case has been filed against them by the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, for similar offenses.
The case file filed against them will be submitted to the competent Prosecution Authority.
It is recalled that citizens can communicate, anonymously or by name, with the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE) in order to provide information or report illegal or reprehensible acts or activities carried out via the Internet, at the following contact details:
By phone: 111 88
By sending an e-mail to: ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
Through the application for smartphones with iOS – Android operating system: CYBERKID
Via Twitter "SOS Cyber Alert Line": @cyberalertGR
