Circuit allegedly running a fraud against the EOPYY has been busted by the Hellenic Police with the loss to the organisation exceeding 260,000 euros.

Three people were arrested in the case: a 39-year-old physical therapist, who is alleged to be a lead member of the organisation, and two orthopaedic doctors aged 51 and 49.

According to the investigation, as of May 2021, the members of the group had formed an organized mechanism aimed at illegally collecting compensation from EOPYY through fictitious medical procedures for physical therapies.

In particular, the 39-year-old physiotherapist allegedly led the action, while the two orthopaedic surgeons proceeded to systematically issue false opinions and physical therapy certificates to insured persons, without their knowledge of the use of their data. The MCA of the insureds were obtained, according to the case file, from the physical therapy facility, and then fictitious sessions were registered and performance vouchers were signed without actual provision of services.

A characteristic of the method is that in 1.641 opinions had reported non-existent telephone connections, which reinforced the assessment that the insureds were unaware of the use of their data.

At the same time, the involvement of an EOPYY employee, who allegedly leaked official documents and received money for filing complaints against those involved, is being investigated.

The investigation has established the issuance and execution of 1.961 fictitious referrals, corresponding to 19,610 physiotherapy sessions to 1,683 insured persons, with the total loss exceeding €264,475.50.

In searches carried out, €8,990, handwritten notes, mobile phones and tablets were found and seized.

A case was filed against them, as well as against an employee of the EOPYY, for a number of serious offences, including participation in a criminal group, serial forgery, false certificates, fraud against the state and NDPD, bribery and bribery of an employee, as well as violation of official secrecy.

The arrested persons were taken to the relevant prosecution authority, while the investigation continues for the full mapping of the ring and possible expansion of its activities.