New significant findings regarding illegal OPEKEPE subsidies in Crete were uncovered by the head of the Anti–Money Laundering Authority, former Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court Charalambos Vourliotis. The findings are linked to specific individuals who are alleged to have played a central role in these cases.

The Authority’s investigation identified tens of thousands of euros invested in betting companies, in the construction of residences used for short-term rentals, in purchases of agricultural land, as well as a bank safe-deposit box with frequent visits by its holder.

These significant findings, which coincide with the period during which the alleged offenses were committed, were deemed proceeds of criminal activity. By order of Mr Vourliotis, the assets of the principal perpetrators and close relatives allegedly acting as accomplices have already been frozen.

At the same time, the Vourliotis report containing the findings was forwarded to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in order to be jointly assessed with the remaining evidence and to form part of the case file that has already led to the imprisonment of the two alleged key figures: the well-known agricultural unionist Myronas Chiletzakis and the accountant and best man of PASOK president Nikos Androulakis, Giorgos Lambrakis.

According to the Authority’s data, those involved spent part of the criminal proceeds on acquiring real estate during the period of their criminal activity, with the aim of giving a veneer of legitimacy to income derived from their participation in a criminal organization.

Beyond all this, one of the main defendants, specifically the accountant, is alleged to have placed more than €700,000 into a betting account, attempting to launder black money through this method as well.

The Authority’s investigation

More specifically, according to the Authority’s findings, a joint bank account of the defendants showed that during the period from 4/1/2019 to 9/12/2025 a total of €328,917 was credited with the description OPEKEPE, and an additional €257,737 with the description ELGA compensations.

These amounts, withdrawn after being credited, were mainly taken in cash, while part of them was directed to payments and transfers to third-party accounts.

In addition, the detained accountant is alleged to have operated, together with relatives, a company managing short-term rental properties. Based on the Authority’s findings, sufficient evidence emerged that these properties were constructed and developed using capital that constitutes part of criminal proceeds.

It should also be noted that the declared year of construction of the properties, according to tax returns, is 2023. However, based on tax returns submitted for the period from 2019 to 2024, no expenditure related to the construction and erection of residences with swimming pools has been declared.

At the same time, the Authority’s investigation revealed that an amount of €764,419 was placed into an online gambling account, which was deactivated on 19/12/2025 amid revelations surrounding the OPEKEPE case.

Interesting findings also emerged regarding the discovery of a bank safe-deposit box belonging to a close relative of a defendant, which showed frequent activity. Specifically, from November 2024 to November 2025, the lessee visited it a total of twelve times, a fact that raises suspicions that part of the criminal proceeds may have been stored there.

Furthermore, another bank account was identified in the name of a close relative of the accused accountant, in which 132 cash deposits totaling approximately €230,000 appear to have been made—an amount considered questionable by the Authority, as it does not correspond to the income declarations of the accused’s sole proprietorship providing accounting services.

Finally, according to Mr Vourliotis’ order, the transfer of the suspicious plots of agricultural land and real estate identified is prohibited, as is the opening of or even visiting the bank safe-deposit box.