Greece: 37 Arrested in EU Farm Subsidy Scam Linked to Organized Crime
Greek authorities arrested 37 people in a crackdown on an organized criminal group accused of defrauding the EU's agricultural subsidy system of over 19.6 million euros.
The group exploited loopholes in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy to claim subsidies for non-existent land and livestock, using falsified documents and fictitious invoices.
- 324 subsidy recipients were linked to the scheme.
- 42 were considered active members of the network, most with no real connection to farming.
Investigators said the suspects used falsified documents, inflated livestock numbers, and fictitious invoices to secure and launder EU funds.
EPPO identified the group's activities, which date back to at least 2018, and found that the funds were spent on luxury goods, travel, and vehicles.
Author's summary: Greece arrests 37 in EU farm subsidy scam.