The subdivision Detection and Investigation of Crimes of Chania proceeded to dismantle a criminal organization that skimmed elderly people with telephone scams.
Specifically, the action of the circuit is determined chronologically from April 16 and extended to the areas of Chania and surrounding areas, with the total damage to exceed the 62,000 euros.
The organization, consisting of at least nine people, acted with a specific hierarchy and distinct roles. They contacted the victims, mainly women and elderly people, by telephone, pretending to be either technicians of the DEDDIE under the pretext of alleged faults in the electricity supply or accountants, in order to extract sums of money and valuables.
How they operated
Their activities proved to be extensive and profitable: in just two weeks (16-30 April), seven cases of fraud – six completed and one attempted – with a total haul of €62,000
The method they used was extremely convincing and organised. The caller, under persistent guidance,pressured the victims to collect cash, jewellery and personal documents, which were then delivered either outside their homes or via balconies for the group’s “collectors” to pick up.
The perpetrators chose areas with limited traffic and few security cameras in order to reduce the chances of capture.
An important role in solving the case was played by the analysis of video footage from security cameras in homes and shops, through which police were able to identify the vehicles involved and the faces of the perpetrators. The vehicles, two cars and a motorcycle, are shown at crucial points in their activities, while analysis of their movements helped identify the suspects.
The group’s activities culminated in the robbery of an elderly woman. When the woman, after telephone guidance, attempted to retrieve the items she had surrendered, a member of the organization used violence and injured her during the snatching of the bag of valuables.
