High-ranking civil servants, among them, directors at ministries and public services departments, around 200 people, have been identified as participants in a money laundering ring through betting companies.
Τhe Greek Money Laundering Authority has identified these “players” by comparing their declared income with money on their bank accounts.
Under the guise of legality, they were wagering sums of money amounting from 100 euros to as much as 1 million euros through about the 10 systemic gambling companies legally active in the country.
Among the 200 individuals are senior civil servants who cannot account for the money they bet on games of chance from their legitimate income.
The funds were of unknown origin: initially the were deposited into gambling accounts, then transferred to personal bank accounts.
The Independent Authority tracked down these individuals by comparing their tax returns with the large sums they were gambling.
Each player played and trafficked from 100 Euros to 1,000,000 Euros.
They would create gambling accounts on online gambling platforms, where they would deposited the XY amounts after they handed them in cash in convenience stores. They would then withdraw amounts of their liking to their bank accounts whenever they wanted to.
Suspicion is high especially as the majority of the 200 are high-ranking civil servants that these amounts were kickbacks for a permit, a signature, a contract with the state, … you name it.
The method to legalize illegally earned assets seemed perfect, the money laundering was working until it wasn’t.
Media report of a “legal loophole” and the role of convenience stores such as mini markets, gas stations, etc.
KTG understands that nobody has been arrested, so far, as the investigation continues.
Even doctors want envelops to heal you , never ending bribe’s