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Greece (GR)

Greece is a southeastern European republic and EU member state, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games, celebrated for its 6,000 sun-drenched islands, ancient ruins from the Acropolis to Delphi, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and a warm culture that draws expats, retirees, digital nomads, and Golden Visa investors from across the world.

Capital: Athens
Region: Europe
Language: Greek
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 52)
Emergency: 112
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Greece.

Greece has a generally safe environment, but several scams specifically and systematically target foreign nationals, tourists, and expats. Property fraud is the most financially devastating risk — Greece's historic problem with unclear property titles (αυθαίρετα constructions, disputed inheritance chains, hidden mortgages) affects thousands of buyers. Three golden rules: always instruct an independent Greek lawyer before any property transaction; verify any investment or business at businessportal.gr (GEMI); and report cybercrime to the Greek Police Cybercrime Prosecution Division (DI.DI.K.) at cyberalert.gr or by calling 11188. Greece is in the EU and SEPA — the 14-day withdrawal right applies to distance and off-premises purchases under the EU Consumer Rights Directive.

Fake and Misrepresented Rental Listings

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Scammers post attractive apartments on xe.gr, spitogatos.gr, and Facebook groups at below-market prices. They claim to be abroad for work, demand a deposit via bank transfer before any viewing, then disappear. A second variant involves existing tenants who sublet without the landlord's knowledge — pocketing your deposit before the real owner discovers and removes you. Fake listings are particularly concentrated in Athens, Thessaloniki, and popular island destinations where demand far outstrips supply.

How to spot it
  • - Price is significantly below market rate for the area and size
  • - Landlord insists on a deposit transfer before you can arrange a viewing
  • - "Owner is abroad for work" — the standard excuse used by rental scammers across Greece
  • - No willingness to meet in person, do a video call, or show the actual property live
  • - Pressure to pay immediately or "lose the apartment to another applicant"
What to do: Never transfer a deposit before viewing the property in person and verifying ownership via the National Land Registry (Κτηματολόγιο — ktimatologio.gr). Report fake listings to the Cybercrime Division at cyberalert.gr (tel. 11188). Contact the listing platform to remove the fraudulent post.

Property Title Fraud and Hidden Encumbrances

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Greece has a historically unresolved problem with unclear property ownership — illegal constructions (αυθαίρετα), forest encroachments, unresolved inheritance chains, undisclosed mortgages, and outstanding ENFIA tax debts. The National Land Registry (Κτηματολόγιο) is still being completed in some areas. Buying a property with title defects can result in the purchase being voided, inability to resell, or inheriting the previous owner's debts. Golden Visa fraud has been documented, with sellers inflating property prices and authorities issuing Circular 1/2026 to crack down on such schemes.

How to spot it
  • - Seller or agent is reluctant to provide the full title history (τίτλος ιδιοκτησίας)
  • - Property is in an area known for illegal construction or recent legalization programmes
  • - Price is significantly below market — often signals a known encumbrance or legal dispute
  • - Property documents show multiple previous owners or a complex inheritance chain
  • - Seller refuses to allow independent legal and survey due diligence before signing
What to do: Always hire an independent lawyer (not the seller's lawyer) to conduct full due diligence. Check ktimatologio.gr and the mortgage register (Υποθηκοφυλακείο) for encumbrances. Verify no outstanding ENFIA or utility debts on the property. Never sign or pay anything before your lawyer has reviewed the complete title chain.

Online Phishing and Bank Vishing (AADE / Bank Impersonation)

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Fraudsters impersonate Greek banks (National Bank, Piraeus, Alpha Bank, Eurobank), AADE (tax authority), EFKA (social insurance), or gov.gr via phone, SMS, or email. They claim an urgent problem with your account, tax obligation, or AMKA, and attempt to extract banking credentials, one-time passwords (OTP), AFM/AMKA numbers, or card details. AADE has publicly warned that it never asks for personal information via SMS or email. Hellenic Revenue Service SMS phishing (claiming unpaid fines or parcel fees) was specifically flagged by Greek media in early 2026.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited phone call or email claiming an urgent account, tax, or social insurance issue
  • - Caller asks for your full bank card number, PIN, or OTP code under any pretext
  • - Email with Greek government logos but a non-.gov.gr domain or misspelled address
  • - Request to "confirm" your AMKA or AFM over the phone to "verify your identity"
  • - SMS with a link claiming you have a parcel, tax refund, or unpaid fine to settle
What to do: No legitimate Greek bank or government body will ask for your PIN, full card number, or OTP via phone, SMS, or email. Hang up and call the institution back on their official number. Report phishing immediately to the Cybercrime Division at cyberalert.gr (11188 / ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr). Contact your bank immediately if you have shared any credentials.

Golden Visa and Investment Fraud

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Fraudsters target Golden Visa applicants, wealthy expats, and foreign investors with fake property developments, inflated valuations, and offshore schemes falsely claiming Greek tax advantages. Since Greece raised its Golden Visa thresholds in September 2024, Greek authorities have documented active pyramid schemes — particularly targeting Chinese nationals — and wide-ranging investigations into money laundering through inflated real estate transactions. Greece's anti-money-laundering authority launched a major investigation into the Golden Visa programme in 2024–2025.

How to spot it
  • - Investment promoted exclusively through social media, cold calls, or overseas brokers with no Athens office
  • - Claimed returns exceed realistic Greek market rates (5%+ guaranteed)
  • - Pressure to commit immediately before "the quota fills up" or eligibility changes
  • - Company has no verifiable GEMI registration number at businessportal.gr
  • - No independent law firm or Greek bank is willing to be named as involved in the deal
What to do: Verify any company at GEMI (businessportal.gr). Insist on independent Greek legal and financial advice from a reputable Athens-based law firm before committing funds. Check with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC — hcmc.gr) whether any investment product requires registration. Report suspected fraud to the Economic Crime Unit (aade.gr).

Tourist Overcharging and Taxi Fraud

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In tourist areas and at Athens International Airport, some taxi drivers "forget" to start the meter, apply the night-rate tariff (Tarifa 2) during daytime, charge for non-existent tolls, or take unnecessarily long routes. Some restaurants in heavily tourist areas add unlisted cover charges or items to bills. ATV and motorbike rental damage scams are pervasive on Greek islands — rental firms (or employees they direct) damage parked vehicles and present inflated repair invoices.

How to spot it
  • - Taxi driver does not activate the meter (ταξίμετρο) immediately on departure
  • - Driver proposes a "flat rate" without an agreed meter — flat rates are only legal for specific airport routes
  • - Restaurant bill is significantly higher than menu prices, with unknown charges added
  • - Rental firm "discovers" damage to your ATV or scooter that was not present when you left
What to do: Insist the taxi meter is activated the moment you set off (ενεργοποιήστε το ταξίμετρο). Use BEAT or FreeNow apps for tracked, metered Athens rides. Request an itemised receipt from any restaurant and compare to the menu. Photograph rental vehicles from all angles — including pre-existing scratches — before leaving the premises. Report taxi fraud to Politie (100) or the Attica Taxi Union.

Fake Employment and Recruitment Scams

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Scammers target expats and job seekers with fake offers for hospitality, modelling, or domestic work in Greece — particularly for island resorts. Victims are asked to pay upfront "visa processing," "work permit," or "equipment" fees before travel. On arrival, jobs do not exist, workers are stranded, or conditions are exploitative. Advance-fee recruitment fraud is also prevalent via WhatsApp and Instagram.

How to spot it
  • - Job offer requires any upfront payment for any reason before employment begins
  • - Offer arrives via WhatsApp or Instagram from an unverifiable recruiter
  • - Pay or conditions are unrealistically attractive for the stated role
  • - Employer requests your AMKA or AFM before a contract is signed
  • - No ERGANI work contract registration is offered before your start date
What to do: Report to SEPE (Labour Inspectorate — sepe.gov.gr) and the Cybercrime Division. Legitimate employers in Greece do not charge recruitment fees. Verify the employer's GEMI registration at businessportal.gr. Always insist on ERGANI contract registration before starting work.

Street Gambling and Three-Card Monte

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Street gambling games (three-card monte / "βρες την μπάλα" — find the ball) operate near Monastiraki, the Athens city centre, and major tourist spots in Thessaloniki and popular islands. A coordinated team of accomplices makes the game appear winnable. Players appear to win large sums to attract bystanders. Once you participate, you always lose — it is organised fraud.

How to spot it
  • - Group gathered around a portable folding table in a pedestrian area or tourist site
  • - One person appears to win easily and noticeably with minimal effort
  • - The dealer makes eye contact and invites you specifically to play
  • - Bystanders enthusiastically encourage you to join — they are part of the team
What to do: Never stop to watch or engage. Walk away immediately. Report the activity to the police (100) if you observe it.

Fake Accommodation Booking Sites

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Fraudulent websites impersonating Booking.com, Airbnb, or individual Greek hotels and villas collect full prepayment for accommodation that does not exist or is already legitimately booked elsewhere. Greece's tourism sector has been specifically targeted by sophisticated reservation hijacking scams affecting Santorini, Athens, Crete, and Mykonos, with criminals using real booking information to make fraudulent contacts appear legitimate.

How to spot it
  • - Property deal arrived via social media, WhatsApp, or a Google ad leading to an unfamiliar website
  • - URL does not match the major booking platform's real domain exactly
  • - Full payment is demanded upfront with no option to pay on arrival
  • - Hotel or villa cannot be verified with a direct phone call to the property
What to do: Book accommodation only through major verified platforms or directly with properties by calling a verified phone number. If you paid and the accommodation does not exist, report to the Cybercrime Division (11188) and file a chargeback with your card issuer immediately. Report to the Consumer Ombudsman at synigoroskatanaloti.gr.

Reporting

Where to report: Cybercrime Prosecution Division (DI.DI.K. — Διεύθυνση Δίωξης Ηλεκτρονικού Εγκλήματος): tel. 11188 (24/7, free) / ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr / cyberalert.gr. Report online via gov.gr. General police: 100. Economic Crime Unit (Υπηρεσία Οικονομικής Αστυνομίας): aade.gr — for financial and investment fraud. Hellenic Capital Market Commission: hcmc.gr — for securities and investment scams. Consumer Ombudsman (Συνήγορος Καταναλωτή): synigoroskatanaloti.gr.

Consumer helpline: Consumer Ombudsman (Συνήγορος Καταναλωτή): +30 210 646 0862 / synigoroskatanaloti.gr (independent authority, out-of-court dispute resolution). General consumer complaints: 1520 (Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00). The 14-day withdrawal right applies to distance and off-premises purchases under EU Consumer Rights Directive.