A woman was arrested in Chania, who was a member of a criminal group active in telephone scams.

The domestic woman, having the role of a “collector”, had extracted money and jewelry with a total monetary value of more than 150,000 euros from 6 domestic citizens

For these cases, the 47-year-old domestic woman was identified as a member of a criminal group active in fraud and was arrested at noon on February 17.

A case file was formed against her for the offenses of participation in a criminal group, repeated fraud, and violations of drug legislation.

How the criminal group operated

Specifically, in terms of how they operated, unknown persons who had set up a criminal group called mainly elderly people pretending to be doctors asking them for large sums of money in order to carry out emergency surgery on a relative following an alleged accident he had suffered.

On occasion, a second unknown perpetrator intervened, mainly a woman who pretended to be the familiar relative (daughter-granddaughter) and begged him crying, convincing him to pay the required amount of money. Then, keeping him on the telephone line, she directed him to go either outside his home or to a nearby place close to it and hand over the money and valuables to another member of the group who played the role of “collector”.

From the thorough and thorough investigation of the Sub-Division of the Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes Chania and the appropriate use of data and video footage, it emerged that during the period from 31.10.2024 to 03.02.2025 had committed cases of telephone fraud against 5 women and a man, with the above method of extracting money and jewelry the total monetary value of more than 150,000 euros.

In a subsequent investigation at her home by police officers of the above Service, a small amount of cannabis, an electronic precision scale, a grater, the sum of 750 euros, and two mobile phones were found and seized and a 45-year-old resident of the country, who was staying in the house, was arrested for violations of the Law on Drugs.

Also, a two-wheeled motorcycle was seized, with which the domestic woman was traveling to the locations to receive the cash.

The preliminary investigation continues by the Sub-Directorate of Investigation and Detection of Crimes Chania, for the discovery of the identity of other members of the criminal group and any involvement in similar cases.