Greek police have dismantled a criminal organisation suspected of using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of victims’ relatives as part of an elaborate telephone fraud operation that allegedly generated more than €1 million in criminal proceeds.
Two men, aged 23 and 25, were arrested during an operation by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime in Nea Ionia, Attica, shortly after they allegedly stole valuables worth around €30,000 from a home.
Four other people are included in the case file, three of whom have been identified, according to the Hellenic Police.
Gang operated with distinct roles
Police said the group had been operating since at least the beginning of July 2026 and had a structured hierarchy, with members assigned specific responsibilities.
So-called “callers” were responsible for identifying and contacting potential victims, while other members acted as “collectors”, taking possession of money and valuables.
The callers also allegedly obtained and activated telephone connections and devices used in the operation.
Members impersonated employees of organisations including electricity network operator DEDDIE, mobile telecommunications companies and fibre-optic providers.
AI used to clone relatives’ voices
A distinctive feature of the scheme, according to police, was the use of AI voice-cloning technology when victims questioned the authenticity of a call.
Suspects would initially contact their target under a pretext, commonly relating to fibre-optic installation, and attempt to persuade them to follow specific instructions.
If a victim expressed doubts, the caller would suggest contacting a relative or another trusted person to confirm that the supposed procedure was legitimate.
The victim would then be asked to provide that person’s telephone number.
The suspects allegedly called the relative while pretending to represent a mobile telecommunications provider and obtained a short sample of their voice during the conversation.
Police said AI tools were then used to reproduce the characteristics of that voice.
The suspects would subsequently contact the original victim again and play or generate the cloned voice, creating the impression that their relative was on the line and confirming that the callers’ instructions were genuine.
Investigators believe this increased the credibility of the deception and made victims more likely to comply.
More than €1m in suspected proceeds
Police have so far linked members of the organisation to five additional cases involving similar methods.
Investigators also solved the theft of a vehicle on 14 September 2026, which members of the organisation allegedly used as their operational vehicle.
During searches, officers seized a public-use vehicle and two mobile phones.
Although the case file includes offences involving alleged gains exceeding €120,000, police estimate that the organisation’s total illegal proceeds surpassed €1 million.
The two arrested suspects were taken before the competent prosecutor and subsequently referred to an investigating magistrate.
The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the organisation’s alleged activities.
Police warn familiar voices may be fake
Following the case, Greek police issued renewed advice to the public about telephone scams involving callers claiming to represent utilities, public authorities, telecommunications companies, banks, accounting firms and other organisations.
Police advised members of the public to:
- Immediately terminate suspicious telephone calls.
- Never disclose personal or financial information, details about household members or information about when a property will be empty.
- Remember that hearing a familiar voice is no longer sufficient proof of someone’s identity.
- End suspicious calls and independently contact relatives using a telephone number already known to them.
- Verify identities using information known only to family members or through a previously agreed security word or phrase.
- Never allow strangers into a home solely because someone on the telephone instructs them to do so, even if a relative’s voice appears to be heard during the call.
- Never hand over or leave cash, jewellery or other valuables at locations specified over the telephone.
- Confirm scheduled work independently by contacting the organisation concerned through its official telephone number.
- Alert relatives immediately after receiving a suspicious call.
Police stressed that genuine technical inspections do not require customers to disclose where valuables are stored or surrender money, jewellery or other valuable items.
Warning for elderly people and children
Authorities also urged families to ensure that elderly relatives and minors understand that apparently familiar voices can now be artificially reproduced or digitally manipulated.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call or encounters unknown individuals at their home is advised to contact the Hellenic Police immediately, even if the attempted fraud is unsuccessful.
Where possible, police also recommend retaining the caller’s telephone number and any other information that could assist investigators.
Source: ANA-MPA
