×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
12
Feb 2026
weather symbol
Athens 13°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Economy

Banks ask businessmen to return the money taken as loans and transferred abroad

The banks focus their efforts and investigations mainly to heavily indebted businesses

Newsroom September 20 03:06

A few days ago, a well-known businessman who had got a loan of about 15 million euros received an unexpected call from his bank.

He was asked to return about 5 million euros because, as the bank found out, he did not use the loan to help his business. Instead, in 2010 he transferred the money in a bank in Switzerland.

>Related articles

Spanish expansion in Ilia: El Pinar acquires Kyriazis and maps out growth plans (pics)

Alpha Bank report: Greece’s housing paradox—High home ownership amid a deepening crisis

Geopolitical real estate: Turks, Israelis, Iranians, Lebanese and Americans rush for properties in Kolonaki and the Athenian Riviera

This is one of about 5,000 similar cases. Many businessmen, who had received large loans in the past, did not invest the money to support their business. Instead, they chose to transfer the money to banks abroad, buy houses or luxury cars.

According to banks which cooperate with Financial and Economic Crime Unit, the total amount reaches 15 to 18 billion euros.

The banks focus their efforts and investigations mainly to heavily indebted businesses which had previously got large loans, but now they do not care about the future of their company.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Antetokounmpo turns… Gummy: The “Greek Freak’s” new business venture

February 13, 2026

Kriekoúkis: The tavern in Mandra with more than half a century of history

February 12, 2026

Acherontia atropos: The moth with the skull on its chest

February 12, 2026

Euroleague fines Bartzokas €4,000 following Dubai fan incident

February 12, 2026

Spanish expansion in Ilia: El Pinar acquires Kyriazis and maps out growth plans (pics)

February 12, 2026

Gallstones: 5 key points on cholelithiasis, its complications, and treatment

February 12, 2026

AADE uncovers massive ‘front’ network: 380 businesses, €43M in debts, 11 arrests

February 12, 2026

Zacharakis meeting with Guilfoyle: “Greek-American cooperation in education is an investment in our common future”

February 12, 2026
All News

> World

Erdogan: Turkey’s wind is blowing on the international political scene; we set the agenda

The Turkish president attacked his country's opposition for yesterday's incidents in the National Assembly during the swearing-in of two new ministers

February 12, 2026

Conflict in Britain between Starmer and the owner of Manchester United: “We’ve become a colony of immigrants”, “make a public apology”

February 12, 2026

Kim Jong Un has chosen his teenage daughter as the next leader of North Korea

February 12, 2026

Who was the 18-year-old trans teen who bloodied a small community in Canada: Dropped out of school at 14, began gender transition six years ago (photos)

February 12, 2026

Horrific allegations against Iran’s regime: Injured protesters executed in hospitals, girls detained and raped

February 12, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα