Massive Cybercrime Network Dismantled After Draining Hundreds of Bank Accounts Across Greece

Greek prosecutors are investigating what is being described as the largest organized cyber fraud operation ever uncovered in the country, involving more than 1,200 suspects and illicit profits exceeding €6 million.

According to a 750-page case file, the network is accused of orchestrating at least 669 verified scams since February 2022, using sophisticated phishing methods to steal online banking data and empty victims’ accounts.

The organization allegedly operated through multiple hubs across Greece — from Corfu and Crete to Thessaloniki and the Cyclades — targeting small business owners, media outlets, churches, and even monasteries.

Unlike typical one-off phone scams, this network had a clear internal hierarchy, including ringleaders, coordinators, call center operators, data specialists, and “money mules.” Members sent fake bank messages to unsuspecting victims, tricking them into revealing their login credentials. One victim reportedly lost €78,690 after clicking a fraudulent bank link received by SMS in May 2022.

Investigators traced the group’s base of operations to Roma settlements in Zephyri, Zevgolatio, and Examilia, where makeshift call centers operated daily, changing locations frequently to evade detection. Many of the participants were family members, with those possessing stronger technical skills assigned to handle electronic banking systems.

The scheme depended heavily on “money mules” — individuals who were paid between €200 and €600 to provide their bank cards and online credentials. After each fraud, these intermediaries would declare their cards lost to conceal the trail of the stolen funds.

Due to the unprecedented scale of the case, prosecutors have struggled to manage the vast evidence. “It is one of the largest case files ever compiled, making handling extremely difficult,” said defense attorney Konstantinos Gogos, noting that the judiciary has requested the creation of separate dossiers for each suspect.

The investigation also benefited from international cooperation, with U.S. judicial authorities and Google providing assistance in tracing the group’s phishing domains, digital infrastructure, and associated accounts.

(Source: Ekathimerini)