Investigators from the Organised Crime Directorate (DAOE) have shed light on the case of the theft of 45 valuable watches worth €1.5 million from the home of a well-known shipping magnate.

According to the investigation, behind the large-scale theft is a Chilean gang that managed to break into the businessman’s home on 13 December 2025 and loot it. Specifically, the perpetrators climbed over the yard wall, broke into a balcony door without leaving signs of forced entry, and entered the house.

They then searched a secondary bedroom area and stole 45 luxury watches from brands such as ROLEX, PATEK PHILIPPE, AUDEMARS PIGUET, VACHERON CONSTANTIN, CVSTOS, etc., including handmade watches made exclusively for the owner and his relatives, with a total value of €1.5 million.

Investigators found that the suspects belong to a burglary network that “landed” in Athens to carry out targeted raids on luxury homes. They came as tourists, but their purpose was theft and burglary. The alleged mastermind is a prisoner. The core group consists of three individuals aged 40, 33, and 26, while a 23-year-old woman also participated in a supporting role.

As the preliminary investigation showed, members of the group regularly travelled to Greece from Schengen countries, staying for short periods and operating under a highly organised plan. They used rental vehicles, forged documents, masks and gloves, and stayed in short-term rentals registered under third parties.

Their modus operandi involved surveillance of luxury residences, identifying when occupants were absent, and entering without visible signs of forced entry, often by climbing from adjacent properties. They then stole jewellery and branded watches, which were passed on to a fencing network. A key coordinating role is attributed to the 40-year-old, who, despite being in prison, is considered the “mastermind” issuing instructions and organising movements.

In its official statement, police noted that the organisation operated with a specific modus operandi and that analysis of the evidence showed involvement in transnational organised crime described as “criminal tourism”.

More specifically, they used rental cars for transport, forged documents, masks and gloves to avoid detection, and stayed in Greece only briefly depending on proceeds from their criminal activity.

They entered Greece via flights from Schengen countries, reducing the likelihood of border checks. Some members lived permanently in Greece and supported the travelling members, providing means and coordination.

They also used forged documents to rent operational vehicles and move across Attica, scouting homes before targeting them. They often accessed neighbouring properties and climbed over to reach the target residence, entering without obvious signs of forced entry.

During their stay, they used short-term rental apartments booked under other people’s names and ride-hailing apps for transport.

The 40-year-old is identified as the mastermind controlling the flow of foreign nationals into Greece for theft operations and illegal profit, coordinating the arrival of the other members and their logistical support with the help of the 23-year-old.

During a search of her home, police found forged travel documents, a passport in the name of the alleged leader, money transfer documents, as well as branded handbags and jewellery.

So far, one aggravated theft case has been solved, involving the 13-12-2025 burglary in Attica, carried out by the 33-year-old and 26-year-old, with total illegal proceeds exceeding €1.5 million.

The case file has been submitted to the competent prosecutor, while investigations continue to fully determine the extent of the criminal activity.