New revelations emerge about the corruption network operating in urban planning offices across Attica that was dismantled by the Internal Affairs Service of the Greek Police. The case, already causing major upheaval in Attica municipalities, involves 36 people in total, 6 of whom were arrested, while the case file includes 30 additional individuals – public servants, engineers, architects and businesspeople. According to investigation findings, the criminal organization allegedly developed a fully organized network that, at least since October 2025, undertook to “unblock” urban planning cases in exchange for substantial fees.
Attica urban planning “grab-all” scheme: How the defendants operated
The defendants allegedly intervened to secure:
- priority issuance of building permits,
- legalization of unauthorized constructions,
- reduction of urban planning fines,
- issuance of positive opinions,
- expediting of pending cases.
Roles within the network
At the center of the organization were two leadership figures who, according to the case file, determined strategy, managed contacts and decided on the amounts of monetary demands. Alongside them operated an employee with specialized knowledge of urban planning legislation, who allegedly indicated ways to handle files so they would appear legal. Another member handled building permit cases, while yet another allegedly intervened in inspections and unauthorized construction regularization procedures.
A separate role was played by an official in a responsible position at an urban planning service, who allegedly facilitated the issuance of administrative acts, while a private engineer functioned as the main link between clients and the network, conveying requests as well as monetary amounts.
“Coffee” and “plans”
To cover their tracks, network members used coded language in their communications. Instead of talking about money, they used terms like “coffee,” “tools,” “plans” and “papers,” while avoiding phone conversations on sensitive matters. Meetings to determine amounts and deliver money typically took place in cafes, parking lots or even inside cars.
The “rate” amounts
So far, investigators have identified 29 cases of bribery and breach of duty, with demanded amounts ranging from €1,000 to €30,000 per case. The operation culminated on Friday afternoon when police spotted an organization member delivering an envelope containing €3,000 to one of the leadership figures. The “Incorruptibles” intervention was immediate, followed by arrests.
Nearly €335,000 discovered
Searches of homes, offices and vehicles revealed the scope of the network’s activities. A total of €334,895 in cash was seized, along with computers, mobile phones, external hard drives, diaries, handwritten notes, and even a bank safe deposit box rental contract. The six arrested individuals were brought before the prosecutor on Saturday, who filed criminal charges against them for a series of felonies and misdemeanors and referred them to the investigating magistrate, while the investigation continues to identify additional suspects and determine the total illegal profits obtained by the network.
Ministry of Citizen Protection announcement
“A criminal organization was dismantled whose members exploited positions of responsibility in Attica urban planning services to process cases in exchange for monetary compensation. Six organization members were arrested, including the leaders. The case file includes an additional 30 individuals, including public servants and private citizens. The organization’s activities involved irregular or priority issuance of building permits, regularization of unauthorized constructions, fine reductions and general management of urban planning cases. Members used coded terminology, internet communication applications and face-to-face meetings to conceal their activities. A total of €334,895 was seized, along with electronic devices, diaries and handwritten notes.
The Internal Affairs Service of Security Forces dismantled a criminal organization whose members were active in managing urban planning cases, exploiting service positions, institutional roles and contact networks to obtain illegal financial benefits.
Six organization members were arrested in the case as part of an organized police operation, including the leaders, while the formed case file includes an additional 30 identified individuals, including public servants and private engineers, architects and businesspeople. Criminal charges were filed against them, case by case, for criminal organization, bribery and corruption of officials, influence peddling and breach of duty.
The investigation began following utilization of complaints regarding reprehensible actions by employees in Attica urban planning services and developed using special investigative actions, as well as combined evaluation of phone communications, physical surveillance, statements, digital data and other preliminary investigation material.
The investigation revealed that organization members, at least since October 2025, had formed a structured network with distinct roles, hierarchy and division of actions. Exploiting their position or status, they intervened in urban planning cases, demanding or receiving monetary amounts for:
- irregular or priority issuance of building permits,
- regularization or legalization of unauthorized constructions,
- reduction of imposed fines,
- issuance of positive opinions,
- facilitation or expediting of pending files,
- general management of cases presenting urban planning irregularities or violations.
Two individuals played central roles in the organization, allegedly determining strategy, utilizing their contact networks and setting monetary demands case by case. Other members undertook more specific roles according to their jurisdiction, position or ability to influence service procedures. More analytically, according to the investigation, organization members had distinct and complementary roles as follows:
- The two leadership members allegedly determined organization strategy, managed the contact network and coordinated the promotion and processing of urban planning cases, determining monetary demands case by case.
- A member with specialized knowledge of the urban planning framework provided directions and instructions for case handling, suggesting ways to process or modify files to appear compliant with prescribed procedures.
- A member responsible for permit issuance allegedly undertook the promotion and processing of cases involving building permits and related administrative acts in exchange for monetary compensation.
- A member responsible for unauthorized construction cases allegedly intervened in inspection, regularization or legalization procedures for unauthorized buildings, providing favorable treatment for fees.
- A member in a responsible service position allegedly undertook management of cases within their jurisdiction, facilitating issuance of related administrative acts in exchange for financial compensation.
- A private engineer organization member functioned as a link between interested parties and other members, undertaking case management, conveying requests and, case by case, circulating monetary amounts, while allegedly contributing to forming favorable opinions within collective procedures.
Characteristic of their activities was taking counter-surveillance measures. Specifically, they avoided direct reference to monetary amounts during phone communications, used internet messaging applications, while for money they used coded words like “coffee,” “tools,” “plans” and “papers.”
Additionally, for determining illegal fees and collecting money, they preferred face-to-face meetings in places they considered safe, such as food service establishments, parking areas and vehicles. So far, at least 29 cases of bribery and breach of duty have been verified, with demanded monetary amounts ranging from €1,000 to €30,000 per case.
The police operation was conducted during midday hours of June 5, 2026, involving a flagrant bribery act. During this, one organization member was spotted delivering an envelope containing €3,000 to a leadership member. Immediate police intervention followed, arrest of those involved and conducting searches. From searches conducted at homes, offices and in defendants’ possession, the following were found and seized:
- €334,895,
- computers,
- mobile phones,
- external hard drive,
- diaries,
- handwritten notes,
- bank safe deposit box rental contract.
The arrested individuals were brought before the competent prosecutorial authority, which filed criminal charges and referred them to the investigating magistrate, while the investigation continues for complete mapping of criminal activity extent, identifying any additional suspects and verifying total illegal financial benefits.”
