Spike in fraud cases reported in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

The General Regional Police Directorate of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has issued a public warning following a surge in fraud cases in the region, where scammers have been deceiving citizens and extracting money using various methods.

Common Fraud Methods Identified:

Impersonation of officials: Fraudsters pose as employees of accounting or insurance offices, notaries, public agencies, or other organizations, citing reasons such as social benefits, tax refunds, urgent debt payments, insurance of valuables, purchase transactions, or technical repairs.

Medical emergencies: Scammers pretend to be doctors, claiming relatives of victims have been in accidents or hospitalized and require immediate surgery or treatment. Accomplices often impersonate the supposed relatives to make the calls more convincing.

Fake investment opportunities: Criminals present themselves as employees of large foreign investment firms, urging victims to invest in cryptocurrencies, stocks, gold, or other products via online platforms.

Social media account breaches: Fraudsters hack accounts of friends or family members and then contact victims under false pretenses, asking for urgent financial help.

Online sales scams: Offenders pose as buyers or sellers of goods online, deceiving victims into transferring money.

Police Safety Advice:

• Do not trust strangers claiming to be public servants or employees of agencies unless you initiated contact.
• Verify the caller’s identity, especially if contacted from unknown numbers.
• If informed of a relative’s medical emergency, call the person directly to confirm.
• Remember: hospitals and public services do not send staff to collect money from citizens.
• Be cautious of online investment ads promising high returns. Verify the reliability of companies before investing.
• Use caution when dealing with strangers via social media, messaging apps, or online marketplaces.
• Never share your bank card PINs or online banking codes with anyone.
• Report all fraud attempts to the police, even if unsuccessful.

For more information, citizens are advised to consult the “Citizen’s Guide” on the Hellenic Police website (hellenicpolice.gr) and the Cyber Crime Division portal (cyberalert.gr).