A criminal gang that used artificial intelligence tools to mimic the voices of family members in order to enhance the credibility of phone frauds has been dismantled by the Organized Crime Combat Unit in Greece. This gang has been known for defrauding citizens using various backgrounds, including posing as employees of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO), mobile phone companies, and fiber optic service providers.
Police Operation and Arrest of Gang Members
The activities of this organization were halted following a police operation conducted by a sub-unit of the Financial Crimes Combat Team in Nea Ionia, Attica. In this operation, two members of the gang, aged 23 and 25, were caught. These two individuals are identified as the gang's "collectors" and were arrested immediately after leaving a residence with stolen valuables worth approximately 30,000 euros.
The indictment against this gang includes fraud and aggravated theft, and four other individuals have also been identified in this case. According to reports, the gang's illegal income is estimated to have exceeded 1 million euros.
How the Fraud Operated Using Artificial Intelligence
Investigations reveal that this organization had specific roles, including "managers," "callers," and "collectors." Their operations appear to have started at least from early July 2026. The callers searched for potential victims and contacted them using various backgrounds. They typically convinced victims that they needed to take actions related to fiber optic installation or other technical processes.
When a victim expressed doubt, the fraudsters encouraged them to contact a family member or trusted person to verify the process. They would then request that person's phone number and call them, introducing themselves as representatives of a telecommunications company or another service provider. In this brief conversation, they recorded a sample of that person's voice and used artificial intelligence tools to generate a copy of that voice.
The next step was to call the original victim again, this time reproducing the family member's voice using voice imitation technology. This made the victim feel that the person was indeed on the other end of the line and was confirming the fraudsters' previous claims. In this way, they attempted to alleviate the victims' doubts and make their fraud appear more credible.
Police Warning About Voice Fraud
In the wake of this incident, the Greek police have issued new warnings about phone frauds in which criminals introduce themselves as employees of public services, telecommunications companies, banks, or other organizations. This agency emphasizes that recognizing a familiar voice is not a valid method for verifying the caller's identity, as the voice may have been technically manipulated or reproduced using artificial intelligence.
Citizens are strongly advised to immediately end suspicious calls, refrain from disclosing personal or financial information, and report any suspicious calls to the police.
Read more: Corruption Crisis in Malta; Warning About New Dangers for Journalists · German Company Langdock Moves Its Structure from the United States to Germany
