Greece Police Bust AI Voice Cloning Gang in €1 Million Scam Operation

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Greek police have dismantled a criminal organisation accused of using Artificial Intelligence to clone the voices of victims’ relatives and trusted contacts as part of sophisticated telephone scams.

The gang allegedly used AI generated voices to make fraud attempts more convincing, while posing as employees of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator, telecommunications companies and fibre optic providers.

Police said the organisation’s illegal profits are estimated to have exceeded €1 million.

Two suspects, aged 23 and 25, were arrested during a police operation in Nea Ionia, Attica. Investigators allege the pair acted as the gang’s “collectors”, taking cash and valuables from victims after the telephone scams.

They were reportedly arrested shortly after removing valuables worth approximately €30,000 from a residence.

A further four people are included in the case file for alleged involvement in a criminal organisation, fraud and aggravated theft. Police said three of those individuals have already been identified.

How the AI voice cloning scam worked

According to the investigation, the organisation had divided its activities between people responsible for managing the operation, making telephone calls and collecting money or valuables.

Police believe the operation had been active since at least early July 2026.

The callers would first identify potential victims and approach them using various technical or service related excuses.

In some cases, they allegedly claimed that fibre optic installation or another technical procedure required the victim to take a particular action.

If the victim became suspicious, the scammers would encourage them to contact a relative or another trusted person to supposedly confirm the information.

The perpetrators would then obtain the relative’s telephone number and contact that person while posing as employees of a telecommunications company or another service provider.

During the conversation, they allegedly recorded a sample of the person’s voice.

The gang then used an Artificial Intelligence tool to create a cloned version of the voice.

The scammers would subsequently call the original victim again and use the cloned voice to create the impression that their relative was speaking on the telephone and confirming the earlier claims.

Police said the technique was designed to overcome the victim’s suspicions and make the fraud appear genuine.

Police link gang to additional cases

Investigators have so far confirmed the organisation’s alleged involvement in five additional incidents involving a similar method.

The investigation also led police to solve a vehicle theft reported on September 14, 2026. Authorities allege the stolen vehicle was being used by members of the organisation as an operational vehicle.

During searches connected to the investigation, police seized a public use vehicle and two mobile phones.

The two arrested suspects were brought before a prosecutor and referred to an examining magistrate. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full extent of the gang’s activities.

Police warn familiar voices can no longer be trusted on their own

Following the arrests, the Hellenic Police renewed their warning about telephone scams involving criminals impersonating employees of utilities, telecommunications companies, banks, public services and other organisations.

Police highlighted a new risk created by AI voice cloning.

A familiar voice on the telephone is no longer sufficient by itself to confirm the identity of the person calling, as technology can be used to manipulate or reproduce someone’s voice.

Authorities are advising citizens to:

• Hang up immediately if a telephone call appears suspicious.
• Never provide personal, banking or financial information over an unexpected call.
• Avoid revealing who lives in their home or when they may be away.
• Call relatives or trusted contacts directly using a telephone number they already know.
• Establish a private safety word or phrase with family members where possible.
• Never open the door to strangers simply because someone has instructed them to do so over the phone.
• Never hand over money, jewellery or valuables, or leave them in a location specified by a caller.
• Verify any supposed technical work directly with the relevant organisation using its official telephone number.
• Report suspicious calls immediately to police and inform family members.

Greek police stressed that legitimate technical inspections do not require people to hand over cash, jewellery or other valuables, or reveal where valuables are stored.

Authorities are urging families to pay particular attention to elderly relatives, warning that even a voice that sounds completely familiar could potentially have been artificially reproduced.

Anyone receiving a suspicious call or encountering unknown people at their home should contact the Hellenic Police immediately on 100 or their local police station.

Police also advise citizens to retain the telephone number from which the call originated and any other information that could assist the investigation.

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