From the Directorate for the Prosecution of Electronic Crime, a criminal case was filed against (3) persons for fraud under the guise supply investment services.
The victims were approached using deceptive methods of aggressive marketing, both by telephone and via the internet.
(11) cases with the illegal property benefit were solved, from the date until today research, amounting to (460.000) euros.
The investigation of the case started after complaints, which came to the Directorate of Cybercrime Prosecution and other police services.
This was followed by a specialized and thorough police and digital investigation and analysis of the data and facts of the case, which resulted in the verification of the involvement of the accused in the criminal activity and the location of the premises - offices that they used for their action.
Regarding the mode of action (modus operandi):
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since 2019 they had set up a company with the object of "marketing consulting services", but they had never received a license from the Capital Commissionmarket to provide investment activities,
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specialized financial and investment advisers were employed on behalf of a foreign-based brokerage firm,
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approached unsuspecting victims first by telephone and then by e-mail,
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after gaining their trust, they withdrew money as investments in portfolios that would bring them high rates of return, which, however, had no real reward,
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declared a false - non-existent company headquarters in region of Athens to lend legitimacy to their action,
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They operated a call center, which they regularly transferred to different addresses within Attica, in order to make it difficult for the authorities to locate them.
In an investigation carried out at the company, a total of 7 mobile phones, 2 hard drives, a laptop were found and confiscated. unit storage, as well as a number of documents and documents related to the case.
In addition, a staff of the Labor Inspection Body (SEPE), which assisted in the investigation, found violations of labor law and imposed administrative fines (52.500) euros.
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate, on the occasion of this case, informs the citizens - interested investors and proposes the following:
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Be especially cautious when you see ads for investment products on the internet and social media that promise fast and high returns.
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Be wary when approached by phone or email from investment companies.
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Be wary when you are promised safe investments, guaranteed returns and big profits.
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Find information about the reliability of the investment companies that approach you as well as whether they have a registered office, contact details, etc ..
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Do not invest your money in services without being absolutely sure of their reliability.
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Ask for the terms and conditions before making a transaction.
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If the quote seems too good to be true, keep in mind that it is probably not real.
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If you have been the victim of fraud in the past, be extra careful as perpetrators may approach you again or share your information with other criminals.
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Contact the appropriate police authorities when you become aware that you have been the victim of fraud.
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Find out about the companies you intend to cooperate with / invest in, regarding their existence and licensing status through:
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of the website of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and especially through the warnings for the Investment Public http://www.hcmc.gr/el_GR/web/portal/warninghcmc ή
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the respective supervisory authorities of other Member States of the European Union.
