Α 13-year-old boy has fell victim of extortion and have allegedly handed over to blackmailers a total of 370,000 euros the boy’s family was keeping at home.
The strange case took place in the city of Volos in central Greece and has lead to at least one arrest. Police in Volos investigates a total of five people with four of them to be minors.
A 34-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in connection with the case, authorities said.
According to police sources cited by state broadcaster ERT, the incident began a few days earlier when the 13-year-old obtained fireworks to celebrate his birthday. A peer allegedly persuaded him to hand over some of the fireworks, which subsequently came into the possession of the 34-year-old suspect.
The minor later reportedly told the victim that police had arrested the 34-year-old over the fireworks and claimed that the man intended to implicate the boy and his parents unless “compensated.”
Under this pressure, the 13-year-old was allegedly convinced to hand over a total of €370,000 in multiple payments between May 2 and June 14, 2026. The money was taken from cash kept at the family home, reportedly derived from the father’s business activities.
The group of extortioners allegedly claimed part of the funds would be used for the suspect’s legal defense.
In Greece, fireworks are prohibited for private use without a special license.
The scheme came to light on Wednesday, when the parents discovered the missing money and the child disclosed what had happened. They immediately filed a complaint with police, while the child named the blackmailers.
A decisive role in the revelation of the blackmail case was allegedly played by the purchases the 34-year-old made shortly after receiving the money. Although unemployed, the resident of Xirokambos, proceeded to purchase four motorcycles and a used BMW, which aroused suspicion and helped the authorities track him down, reports local magnisianews.gr. No money was recovered during a search conducted after the arrest.
Following investigations, authorities identified next to the 34-year-old also two minors aged 17 and 15. Two additional minors remain unidentified.
A case has been filed against the 34-year-old for participation in a criminal organization and extortion, and he is expected to appear before judicial authorities in Volos. Police investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining suspects.
Speaking to police, the mother of the 13-year-old boy reportedly said that they discovered a missing amount of 70,000 already in May but they could not figure out where the money went.
