A criminal organization in Greece has used a sophisticated fraud method, using Artificial Intelligence to clone the voices of victims' relatives, in order to convince them that the instructions they received over the phone were real. According to Greek Police, the group is suspected of having illegally profited from more than 1 million euros.

The operation by the Greek authorities led to the arrest of two people in the area of ​​Nea Ionia, Attica, just as two young men, aged 23 and 25, had just taken items worth around 30 euros from a victim's apartment. Both are suspected of having acted as "fundraisers" for the organization, while four other people are also included in the investigation file, three of whom have been identified.

According to the investigation, the organization had been operating since at least early July 2026 and had a divided role structure. It included people with managerial positions, "telephone operators", as well as members who physically went to the victims to collect money or valuables.

How the scheme worked

The scammers initially contacted victims by phone and posed as employees of various companies or services. In some cases, they used the excuse of installing fiber optics, while in other cases they claimed to be representatives of telephone companies.

During the conversation, the victims were given specific instructions that they had to follow. The goal was to create an emergency situation and convince them that they were performing a routine or necessary procedure. But when the victim showed doubts, the scheme moved to an even more sophisticated stage.

The scammers suggested that the victim call a relative or acquaintance to confirm that the action needed to be taken quickly. At the same time, they asked the victim for the phone number of the person they would contact. This is where Artificial Intelligence came into play.

After obtaining the number, the scammers would contact the relative or acquaintance and, if appropriate, pose as representatives of a telephone company. During a short conversation, they would obtain a sample of the person’s voice. Then, according to the Greek Police, they would use an Artificial Intelligence tool to clone the voice characteristics. With the cloned voice, the scammers would return to the original victim and create the impression that the relative or acquaintance was actually on the phone. The artificial voice was used to “confirm” the instructions given earlier.

This technique was intended to remove the victim's suspicions. Instead of the person thinking they were dealing with a hoax, they would hear a voice that resembled that of a loved one and believe the procedure was real.

At least six suspected cases

So far, Greek authorities have documented the involvement of members of the organization in at least six cases of fraud using a similar methodology. Investigations have also revealed that a vehicle stolen on September 14, 2026, was allegedly used by members of the group as an “operational tool.”

As part of the investigation, police have seized a vehicle and two mobile phone devices, which are expected to be analyzed as part of the evidence collected. Authorities estimate that the organization's illegal profit from criminal activity exceeds 1 million euros.

The two arrested face serious charges.

A criminal case has been opened against the 23-year-old and 25-year-old arrested for participation in a criminal organization, fraud, aggravated theft, and attempted acts committed in collaboration, while investigations continue to determine the full scope of the group's activity.

The two arrested were brought before the competent prosecutor and then referred to the investigator.

Greek police continue investigations to identify all persons involved and to uncover other cases that may be related to the same organization.

The case shows yet another way in which voice cloning technology can be used by fraudsters to create a false sense of trust. A call from a familiar number or a voice that sounds identical to that of a family member is no longer, in itself, a guarantee that the person on the other end of the line is who they claim to be.