Scammers impersonate Mayor in Xanthi to target local businesses

Authorities in Xanthi have issued a public warning following a series of scam attempts targeting local shopkeepers. In recent days, several business owners in the Western Thrace town have received suspicious phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be the Mayor of Xanthi, Stratos Kondos.

According to reports, the scammers are attempting to deceive shop owners by requesting Paysafe cards, a form of prepaid payment, under the pretense of an urgent municipal need. The impersonators claim they will stop by later in the day to pay for the cards, exploiting the trust associated with the mayoral office.

One business owner, who received a call from the number 6949691233, shared their experience on social media. The caller allegedly said, “A friend of mine named Yorgos recommended your shop. Can you prepare six Paysafe cards for me? I’ll come by in the evening to pay.”

The attempted fraud sparked widespread concern online, prompting official statements from local authorities.

“Mayor Kondos has no involvement whatsoever in these calls,” said Deputy Mayor Yannis Tsapalis.
“We urge all business owners in the region to remain vigilant. These calls are entirely fraudulent.”
The Municipality of Xanthi confirmed that no such request had been made by Mayor Kondos and no authorization was given to anyone to act on his behalf.

Authorities are calling on citizens and especially business owners to report any suspicious phone calls to the police immediately and avoid sharing any personal or financial information over the phone.

As this new method of impersonation emerges, officials are stressing the importance of verifying any unusual request, particularly those involving financial transactions.