Ferraris, Porsches and Properties seized in €2.6M subsidy fraud probe
Luxury assets worth over €1.5 million have been seized from former New Democracy politician Popi Semertzidou, her partner, and family members amid an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud and misuse of EU agricultural subsidies.
The Anti-Money Laundering Authority, led by former Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Charalampos Vourliotis, ordered the confiscation of a Ferrari, a Porsche, 30 other vehicles, and 11 properties, including farmland and commercial plots. The assets are linked to EU subsidies distributed by OPEKEPE between 2019 and 2024.
Investigators allege that at least €1.5 million of the €2.6 million in subsidies collected was not used for their intended purpose. Assets of a related private company (IKE) have also been frozen.
A formal report has been sent to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, citing suspected fraud and money laundering. Authorities are probing possible use of fake invoices, with another €1 million in assets still under review. Tax audits and financial investigations are ongoing.
Semertzidou denies involvement
Reacting to the allegations, Semertzidou denied any wrongdoing and claimed she is being unfairly targeted.
“I want them to leave us alone. We were not involved,” she told Mega TV. “We’ve become target number one. The worst part is no one thinks about our parents—it leaves a terrible impression about me.”
Semertzidou, who ran unsuccessfully for New Democracy in Kozani in the 2019 parliamentary elections, later served as the party’s coordinator for community resources and women’s entrepreneurship. She resigned after reports surfaced linking her and her husband to large subsidy payouts.
Photo:Kathimerini
