A month-long investigation by the Directorate for the Fight against Organized Crime, in cooperation with the EOPYY, uncovered a ring that allegedly defrauded the organization through fake medical certificates and non-existent physical therapy sessions.
Three people were arrested during an operation in Piraeus, who allegedly played a key role in the group’s activities. They are a 39-year-old physiotherapist, who according to the authorities is considered the main organiser, and two orthopaedic surgeons aged 51 and 49.
The case file that was formed includes, among other things, charges of forming a gang, serial forgery, false certificates, fraud against the Greek State and illegal access to personal data. The case also involves an EOPYY employee, who is accused of providing inside information and allegedly receiving money in order to “block” complaints about the activities of the ring.
According to Greek police, the illegal activity began at least as early as 2021. The two doctors allegedly issued false physical therapy referrals for people insured by the Greek National Health Insurance Fund (EOPYY) without the latter knowing that their details and social security numbers were being used.
Then the physiotherapist appeared to perform the sessions in his workshop, even though they never took place. Authorities say he even signed the relevant documents instead of the policyholders to make it appear that the services had been properly provided.
The investigation revealed that in many cases, non-existent contact numbers had been listed, which reinforced suspicions that the insureds were unaware of the referrals issued in their names.
Police officers found that nearly 2,000 bogus referrals were issued, corresponding to more than 19,000 physical therapy sessions, using more than 1,600 insured persons’ Social Security numbers. The financial loss allegedly suffered by EOPYY is estimated at more than €264,000.
During the searches in homes, medical practices and the physical therapy centre’s premises, cash, electronic devices and handwritten notes were seized and are being examined as part of the preliminary investigation. The arrested persons were brought before the competent prosecuting authority.
