Thousands of arrests of both petty and hardened criminals, the dismantling of criminal organizations and fraud rings that deceived citizens, illegally claimed EU subsidies through OPEKEPE, solved murders, and seized thousands of kilograms of narcotics — these are just some of the achievements of the Organized Crime Division (DAOE) in just 730 days.
This evening at 6:00 p.m., the Minister of Citizen Protection will present a full report on the division’s operations at the Athens Concert Hall, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, government ministers, and senior police officers. The 1,200 officers who make up the central Athens unit and its Thessaloniki sub-directorates form a service that replaced the Attica Security Division and was the personal vision and long-held ambition of Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis. Notably, within just two years, the so-called Greek FBI carried out 3,254 arrests and handled 1,510 cases.
EU subsidy fraud (OPEKEPE)
- In October 2025, 37 people were arrested in Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi, while 324 individuals were charged with fraud through OPEKEPE, the Greek agricultural payments agency, with proceeds of at least €4,500,000.
- In March 2026, a new criminal network was dismantled in Attica, resulting in 18 arrests out of a total of 240 suspects, with proceeds exceeding €3,800,000.
- In May 2026, 14 people were arrested in Thessaloniki, Serres, and Kilkis, with a total of 195 individuals charged in connection with illegal subsidy claims amounting to €2,460,000.
- Also in May 2026, 15 people were arrested across Epirus, Thessaly, and Western Macedonia, with 182 suspects in total charged with fraudulently obtaining €3,200,000.
- In June 2026, 10 people were arrested across Kefalonia, Aetolia-Acarnania, and Achaia, while 210 individuals in total face charges related to illegal subsidies worth €3,000,000.
Tax evasion crackdowns
In September, authorities dismantled a criminal network operating through a chain of over 100 Pizza Fan franchise outlets, which had concealed income and committed other tax violations totalling €25,000,000. Before the dust had settled, a new network was uncovered: the owner of the “Choriatiko” bakery chain, several strip clubs, and other businesses was charged with financial, tax, and other fraud amounting to €95,000,000. Prior to that, a ring defrauding the Greek state was exposed — concealing income, filing fictitious employment records, and committing other forms of fraud — with the alleged mastermind being well-known TV presenter and leader of the Popular Orthodox Rally party, Filippos Kampouris. He and his wife, along with their associates, face charges of fraud totalling at least €5,300,000.
The so-called Greek FBI also solved numerous homicides, including cases involving individuals from the criminal underworld — something that had rarely happened in the past.
Among the most notable cases:
- In April 2022, Giannis Skaftouros, known as “Uncle Joe,” was murdered at his country house in Skourta, Boeotia. According to investigators, the killing was orchestrated by “Edik,” the leader of a Russo-Ukrainian criminal gang, as part of his efforts to eliminate rivals in the illegal tobacco trade.
- In December 2024, fuel station owner Vangelis Zambounis, known as “Zambon,” was shot dead with 97 bullets, mostly from a Kalashnikov rifle. Authorities believe “Edik” was again behind the killing, this time in a bid to seize control of the illegal fuel trafficking trade.
- In April 2025, Giorgos Moschouris, known by his street name, was murdered in Chalandri. In May 2026, police arrested three individuals believed to be the direct perpetrators of the shooting, in which dozens of Kalashnikov rounds were fired.
- In late January 2022, 87-year-old Eleni Papadopoulou, widow of a former government minister, was found dead following a fire at her home in Kolonaki. The incident was initially believed to be an accident. Following a methodical investigation, in December 2025 DAOE officers revealed it was a murder and arrested her son.
Roma crime networks
Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis described telephone scams targeting elderly people across Greece — perpetrated by Roma criminal gangs — as a “gangrene.” DAOE has struck decisive blows against these organized networks.
- In May 2026, a gang involved in at least 58 telephone scams was dismantled. Ten individuals were arrested, suspected of stealing cash and jewellery worth over €2,000,000.
Drugs and weapons
DAOE’s drug enforcement unit has dealt massive blows to traffickers not only in Attica, but also in Mykonos and other parts of the country.
- In October 2026, a network operating in central Athens was dismantled after being found in possession of 35 kilograms of cocaine and 312 kilograms of cannabis available for sale. Three people were arrested, with the drugs valued at over €2,000,000.
- In October 2025, a far-reaching trafficking network based in Piraeus was broken up. The alleged ringleader, a 40-year-old man, was found to be distributing large quantities of cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy tablets, along with a significant cache of heavy weaponry of considerable value.
