A French national wanted in Luxembourg for a €5.4 million investment fraud has been arrested in Athens. Philippe Stanislas Antoine Wasila, 57, was apprehended on Monday, December 2nd, thanks to a joint operation between Luxembourg and Greek authorities.
Wasila is accused of defrauding investors between 2013 and 2014, posing as a successful businessman, lawyer, and investment fund director. He allegedly lured victims into investing in a fictitious autonomous drone development project, promising high returns. Instead, authorities believe he diverted the funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle, funneling the money through a complex network of companies and foreign accounts.
The arrest was the result of coordinated efforts between the Fugitive Active Search Teams (FAST) of Luxembourg and Greece, operating under the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST). Luxembourg authorities provided information pinpointing Wasila’s likely presence in the Athens area, allowing Greek FAST to initiate surveillance and ultimately capture him.
Wasila’s name was added to Europe’s Most Wanted list just weeks ago, on November 11, 2024. He is currently awaiting an extradition hearing in Greece, where the judiciary will decide whether to surrender him to Luxembourg under two existing European arrest warrants. If extradited, he will face judicial proceedings in Luxembourg.