Unemployed man held over €450,000 phone scam

[NP]

An unemployed man suspected of belonging to an organized ring of phone scammers that made nearly half a million euros in just two hits targeting elderly people has been arrested in Athens, authorities said Wednesday.

Police said in a statement that they have have identified a second suspected member of the ring – which revolved round a call center in western Athens – and are looking for more.

The scammers allegedly called up elderly people, claiming to be from an electricity company, said there was something wrong with their wiring and talked them into wrapping up and leaving outdoors any cash and valuables they had at home – ostensibly to prevent any risk of electrocution.

When the ploy seemed to be working, a pair of associates, allegedly including the 31-year-old suspect, was sent in a car to pick up the packages while the initial scammer kept talking to the victims to prevent them from phoning anyone else for advice.

Police said the suspects were otherwise unemployed, and pursued an expensive lifestyle based on cash payments.

So far, the statement said, the gang has been confirmed to have stolen gold coins and jewellery worth more than €450,000, as well as €2,000 in cash from two victims.