New evidence is coming to light regarding the modus operandi of the criminal organization that operated in planning offices in Attica, demanding “fast-track fees,” legitimizing illegal constructions and unlawfully reducing fines. The police operation led to the arrest of six individuals, while the case file includes a total of 35 defendants, including public officials, engineers and private citizens.
The “tariffs” of the corruption ring operating in Attica planning offices
With “tariffs” ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 euros depending on the “service,” the alleged criminal organization dismantled by the “Incorruptibles” unit of the Greek Police had established an organized corruption network in Attica’s urban planning services.
As part of the operation, surprise inspections and raids were carried out at planning offices across Attica, with police arresting five public officials and one private citizen allegedly involved in the case.
During the searches, authorities located and seized approximately 400,000 euros in cash.
The two key figures
According to information, at the top of the organization were two key figures who allegedly had complete control over its operations. These individuals determined strategy, coordinated cases handled by the network and even decided the amounts of money to be demanded from interested parties.
A member with specialized knowledge of urban planning legislation also played a crucial role, providing guidance on handling files and suggesting ways to make cases appear legal and compliant with prescribed procedures.
Meanwhile, another member handled cases related to issuing building permits and other administrative acts, while a separate individual allegedly intervened in inspections of illegal constructions, facilitating regularization or legalization procedures in exchange for payment. The network also included an official with a management position at service level, who allegedly facilitated the processing and issuance of related decisions in exchange for monetary payments.
Particularly significant was the role of a private engineer who functioned as the connecting link between clients and organization members. According to the investigation findings, he undertook to relay requests, coordinate cases and move money, while in some instances allegedly influenced the formation of favorable opinions.
The “coffee” and the “tools”
The methods used by organization members to avoid detection are striking. As revealed by the investigation, they avoided speaking openly about money in their phone conversations and preferred messaging applications for communication. When referring to monetary amounts, they used code words like “coffee,” “tools,” “plans” and “papers.”
Additionally, discussions about illegal payments and money handovers mainly took place in face-to-face meetings at locations they considered safe and difficult to monitor, such as cafeterias, parking areas and even inside vehicles.
Full announcement from Greek Police
“The Internal Affairs Service of Security Forces dismantled a criminal organization whose members were active in handling urban planning cases, exploiting official positions, institutional roles and contact networks for the purpose of obtaining illegal financial gain.
Six members of the organization were arrested as part of an organized police operation, including the leaders, while the case file includes another 30 identified individuals, including public officials and private engineers, architects and businessmen.
Criminal charges were filed against them for criminal organization, bribery and corruption of officials, influence peddling and breach of duty, as applicable.
The investigation began following complaints regarding improper actions by officials in Attica urban planning services and developed using special investigative techniques, as well as combined evaluation of telephone communications, physical surveillance, statements, digital data and other preliminary investigation material.
The investigation revealed that organization members had, at least since October 2025, 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 illegal constructions,
• reduction of imposed fines,
• issuance of positive opinions,
• facilitation or expediting of pending files,
• general management of cases with urban planning irregularities or violations.
Two individuals played central roles in the organization, allegedly determining strategy, utilizing their contact networks and specifying monetary demands case by case. Other members assumed specialized roles according to their jurisdiction, position or ability to influence service procedures.
More specifically, according to the investigation, organization members had distinct and complementary roles as follows:
The two leading members allegedly determined organization strategy, managed contact networks and coordinated the promotion and completion of urban planning cases, while determining monetary demands case by case.
A member with specialized knowledge of the urban planning framework provided guidance 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 completion of cases concerning building permits and related administrative acts in exchange for monetary compensation.
A member responsible for illegal construction cases allegedly intervened in control, regularization or legalization procedures for illegal buildings, providing favorable treatment for payment.
A member with a management position at service level allegedly handled cases within their jurisdiction, facilitating the issuance of related administrative acts for financial compensation.
A private engineer, organization member, functioned as liaison between interested parties and other members, handling cases, relaying requests and moving money as needed, while allegedly contributing to forming favorable opinions within collective procedures.
Characteristic of their operation was taking counter-surveillance measures. Specifically, they avoided direct reference to monetary amounts during phone communications, used internet messaging applications, and used code words for money such as “coffee,” “tools,” “plans” and “papers.”
Additionally, for determining illegal payments and collecting money, they preferred face-to-face meetings in locations they considered safe, such as food 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 euros per case.
The police operation was carried out at midday on June 5, 2026, in the context of a flagrant bribery act. During this operation, one organization member was spotted handing an envelope containing 3,000 euros to a leading member. Police immediately intervened, arrested those involved and conducted searches.
From searches conducted at homes, offices and in defendants’ possession, the following were found and seized:
• 334,895 euros,
• computers,
• mobile phones,
• external hard drive,
• diaries,
• handwritten notes,
• safe deposit box rental contract.
Those arrested were brought before the competent prosecutorial authority, which filed criminal charges and referred them to the Investigator, while the investigation continues for complete documentation of the criminal activity’s extent, identification of any additional involved parties and verification of total illegal financial gain.”
