Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Konstantinos Kyranakis, alongside Stelios Sakaretsios, the president of the “Hellenic Land Registry” public legal entity, filed a criminal complaint with the Supreme Court against a scheme allegedly linked to forgery cases on the islands of Spetses, Hydra, and Agistri.
The Case
According to reports, the scheme’s mastermind is an individual from Northern Greece. Working with two accomplices from the same area, they submitted sworn affidavits before a notary public, falsely claiming ownership of various properties in the Land Registry system. The forged claims targeted 45 high-value land parcels spanning 550,000 square meters.
Advanced Detection with Technology
As noted by Mr. Sakaretsios, the fraud was uncovered through the Land Registry’s upgraded digital tools, which flagged suspicious entries during their systematic audits. This case, described as one of the largest fraud attempts ever encountered by the Land Registry, underscores the importance of technological advancements in combating such schemes.
Legal Implications
Kyranakis emphasized the gravity of the crime, highlighting recently implemented strict penalties for criminal fraud:
- 5 to 10 years of imprisonment for general fraud.
- 10 to 20 years if public property is involved.
The minister added that further audits using advanced algorithms and digital checks are planned to detect and address similar fraud cases. “Justice must be served, and individuals wronged by such schemes must be protected,” Kyranakis stated.
Official Statements
After filing the complaint, Kyranakis expressed gratitude to the Land Registry staff for their investigative work. “We have detected a potential fraud network involving citizens and professionals who submitted forged claims for 45 properties on Spetses, Hydra, and Agistri. Sworn affidavits were provided by specific individuals from Northern Greece, always in the presence of the same notary,” he revealed.
Kyranakis also issued a warning to potential fraudsters:
“Such cases are now easier to identify thanks to technology. Severe penalties are in place, and similar cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
All evidence has been handed over to the Supreme Court prosecutor for further investigation.
