The Athens Public Prosecutor’s Office has pressed serious criminal charges, including eight felonies and two misdemeanors, against those arrested for the fraud scheme against the Greek National Organization for Healthcare Services (EOPYY).

Following the charges, which were filed after the suspects’ arrest last Friday, they now face a series of felony charges, including: leading a criminal organization, forming and joining a criminal organization, fraud against a public legal entity exceeding €120,000, issuing false statements to a public legal entity for over €120,000, forgery against a public legal entity exceeding €120,000, drug trafficking by a doctor, violating personal data laws for personal gain exceeding €120,000, and money laundering over €120,000 within a criminal organization.

Additionally, misdemeanor charges were also filed, including circulating harmful drugs and violence against public officials. After the charges were presented, the accused requested and were granted extensions by the investigator to prepare their defense.

The arrests, made after months of investigation, were announced by police authorities today.

Doctors and Pharmacists’ Conversations Expose Their Fraudulent Practices

The conversations intercepted by the Financial Police reveal the fraudulent methods of criminal networks comprising doctors and pharmacists, who defrauded EOPYY through fake prescriptions.

A total of 17 individuals (14 Greeks and 3 foreigners) were arrested in connection with the case, including doctors, pharmacists, and a medical representative. Authorities seized over 9,000 pharmaceutical products and approximately €450,000 in cash.

In one revealing conversation, a doctor is heard discussing how to obtain Ozempic, which is in short supply, with an associate.

Doctor: “Hey Michel, how much Ozempic? Tell me.”

Associate: “Hey, I’m trying. Yeah, I remembered. Okay, two Ozempic are ready.”

Further discussions revealed issues related to the prescription of medications and how fake prescriptions were covered up.

“Put the coupons in a black bag so nothing shows.”

A notable conversation between two pharmacists and an employee reveals their efforts to remove medicines from their business and conceal evidence.

Put the coupons in a black bag so nothing can be seen.”

Additionally, a noteworthy conversation took place between a pharmacist couple and one of their employees — all of whom were involved — regarding medications that needed to be removed from the business.

Pharmacists: Ask if you want.

Employee: Ask Mr. S., he left us the PREGABALIN SANDOSE boxes. Should I throw them away far from the pharmacy?

Pharmacists: Well, take the coupons.

Employee: Aside from the coupons. I’ll take the coupons out.

Pharmacists: Keep the coupons. Both the big and small ones, put them in a black bag so nothing shows.

Employee: Got it.

Pharmacists: Put them in a black bag.

Employee: Yeah? Should I throw them far from the pharmacy or nearby?

Pharmacists: No. Far away, of course. As far away as possible.

Employee: I’ll take them home, okay?

Pharmacists: Yes. Take them and throw them away, but in a black bag, so no one can see what’s inside.

Employee: Black bag. Okay, Mr. S.

In another conversation, a pharmacist and an employee discuss falsifying prescriptions for pain relief instead of epilepsy, so that the medication could be dispensed without proper authorization.

Complaints that Led to Their Downfall

The investigation that dismantled these criminal organizations began after two women filed complaints, realizing something was wrong. One insured woman reported that a prescription was issued in her name without her knowledge. Similarly, another woman reported 16 prescriptions issued in her name over a six-month period, none of which she authorized.

As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that the fraudulent activities began as early as January 2020. Members of these criminal networks systematically issued fake prescriptions using the social security numbers of foreign nationals, inmates, or individuals housed in care facilities, who were unaware of the prescriptions being issued in their name.

To maximize profits, the fraudsters also used the social security numbers of uninsured individuals, as they were not required to pay out-of-pocket for EOPYY-covered expenses.

The illegally prescribed medications were then distributed through their pharmacies or sold to clients in Greece and abroad. Proceeds from these activities were either laundered through false receipts or stored in bank vaults.

Among the medications fraudulently prescribed were narcotics and other psychotropic substances, some of which are in short supply both in Greece and internationally.

So far, 3,516 social security numbers have been linked to fake prescriptions totaling 90,186 prescriptions, causing over €3.5 million in damages to EOPYY.

The criminal networks’ activities also involved a pharmaceutical warehouse owner, who circulated dangerous drugs, some of which were supplied by the pharmacies involved in the fraud.

Charges filed against the suspects include involvement in a criminal organization, forgery, fraud against the Greek state, and drug trafficking.