A member of the criminal organization operating the “gold coins” scam in Larissa has been re-arrested by the Organized Crime Unit, despite having restrictive conditions imposed on him. The arrest took place on Thursday morning (04/06) as part of the ongoing investigation in the Larissa area to dismantle the family gang that committed fraud and extortion. Meanwhile, authorities have identified another member of the criminal ring that enriched itself “at the expense” of their victims.
Gold coins gang in Larissa: Three suspects remanded in custody
According to a police announcement, during the first phase of the case, four members of the organization – who belong to the same family – were arrested. They were active in defrauding citizens under the pretext of buying and selling gold coins at prices lower than their market value.
Regarding criminal proceedings, three of the defendants were remanded in custody at correctional facilities across the country, while the last one had restrictive conditions imposed on him.
Nine additional fraud cases
From further evaluation and analysis of the preliminary investigation material, combined with new evidence that emerged after the publication of the defendants’ details and examination of additional victims, their participation was confirmed, along with that of another Greek national imprisoned in a correctional facility, in additional cases of fraud and extortion.
Specifically, an additional 9 cases of fraud were solved, one case of fraud and extortion, one case of embezzlement, 2 cases of theft, and one robbery. It is estimated that the additional financial damage caused to victims by the defendants’ actions exceeds €777,500.
What was discovered in the new police operation in Larissa
Following this, in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 4, a new police operation was organized and implemented in Larissa and Katerini by officers from the Extortion Unit of the Sub-Directorate for Crimes Against Life and Property, with assistance from EKAM and OPKE Magnesia, according to a police announcement.
During the operation, the criminal organization member who had restrictive conditions imposed was located and arrested, as a pistol with magazine and 9 bullets were found in his residence, among other items.
Additionally, as part of the investigations by the Sub-Directorate for Crime Investigation and Detection of Larissa, separate case files were formed against two other individuals for weapons law violations and electricity theft.
Overall, during searches conducted in homes, vehicles and detention areas, with assistance from Larissa Urban Planning and DEDDHE, the following items were found and confiscated:
- pistol with magazine and 9 bullets,
- pistol quick-loader,
- 56 hunting cartridges,
- 502 firecrackers,
- mobile phones and SIM cards,
- digital storage device (USB),
- agendas and documents with handwritten notes,
- bank book,
- €615,
- 4 recording devices,
- 14 promissory notes, and
- 5 cars.
How the family gang operated
It should be noted that the organization members, at least since 2007, approached their victims by presenting themselves as people of particular financial prominence and, under the pretext of selling large quantities of gold coins at particularly low prices, convinced them to pay significant amounts of money.
Subsequently, without fulfilling their promises, they used various pretexts to avoid delivering what was agreed upon, while in cases where victims demanded the return of their money, they resorted to threats, intimidation and, in some cases, display of weapons.
Meanwhile, an in-depth financial investigation revealed evidence showing significant discrepancy between a gang member’s declared economic profile and their actual lifestyle.
The arrested individual was brought before the competent prosecutor, while the case files formed against the other defendants will be submitted to the appropriate authorities.
