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White-collar crime covers non-violent, financially motivated offences such as fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, money laundering, bribery, insider trading and corporate accounting fraud. In Acharnes, which lies in the Attica region and forms part of the Athens metropolitan area, white-collar matters are handled under Greek national criminal and administrative law and are investigated and prosecuted by national authorities based in Athens and the surrounding judicial districts. Cases may involve local law-enforcement units, central financial crime investigators and specialised prosecutors. Outcomes can include criminal penalties, administrative sanctions, confiscation or freezing of assets, and civil claims.
White-collar investigations and prosecutions often involve complex legal, factual and financial issues. A lawyer with experience in white-collar crime can help in many situations, including:
- If you receive a call to be interviewed by police or a prosecutor - attending without advice can lead to damaging statements.
- If your premises or business are searched or documents are seized - a lawyer can protect your rights and ensure proper procedure.
- If accounts have been frozen or bank transactions have been blocked - a lawyer can seek relief from a court.
- If you are under formal investigation or face indictment - you will need representation at pretrial hearings and at trial.
- If a regulatory body or tax authority starts an administrative inquiry - a lawyer can coordinate criminal and administrative defence and liaise with forensic accountants.
- If you are a director, officer or employee facing personal liability for corporate actions - specialised defence is necessary to limit exposure.
Several bodies of Greek law are particularly relevant to white-collar crime cases in Acharnes:
- Criminal law: The Greek Penal Code sets out core criminal offences such as fraud, embezzlement, bribery and forgery. Special criminal provisions apply to public corruption and offences affecting the public interest.
- Anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism: Greece implements EU anti-money-laundering rules and national statutes that criminalise laundering of proceeds from crime, require reporting of suspicious transactions and grant investigative powers to competent authorities.
- Tax law and administrative offences: Tax evasion and serious tax fraud are prosecuted both administratively and criminally. Tax authorities conduct audits and can refer matters to prosecutors.
- Financial markets and securities law: Insider trading, market manipulation and other securities offences fall under financial regulation. Market supervisors may impose sanctions and refer criminal matters to prosecutors.
- Corporate and procedural law: Corporate governance rules, directors duties and civil liability regimes can lead to parallel civil suits and claims for damages. Criminal procedure governs investigation steps, arrest, detention, evidence and trial stages.
Investigations and prosecutions in Acharnes will commonly involve the Hellenic Police and its economic crime investigators, specialised prosecutors in Athens and central agencies such as the national financial intelligence unit and sectoral regulators. Courts with jurisdiction sit in Athens or the relevant criminal court center for the region.
White-collar crimes are non-violent offences involving financial gain or business advantage. Common examples are fraud, corruption and bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, falsification of accounts, insider trading and procurement fraud. The precise classification depends on the conduct and the applicable articles of the Greek Penal Code and special statutes.
Investigations may begin after a complaint by a victim, a tip-off or whistleblower, a tax audit, a regulatory review, suspicious transactions reported by banks, or proactive police or prosecutor-led inquiries. Regulators and financial institutions are required to report suspicious activity to competent authorities, which can trigger a criminal investigation.
Arrest and detention are possible if prosecutors or police have reasonable grounds and the statutory tests for arrest or provisional detention are met. Many white-collar cases proceed initially by summons or examination without detention. If you are questioned by police, you have the right to legal representation and to assert procedural rights - consult a lawyer before answering detailed questions.
Both companies and individuals can face liability. Corporations may be subject to administrative fines, regulatory sanctions, civil claims and, in some cases, criminal liability under laws that allow corporate penalties. Directors and officers can face personal criminal and civil liability for unlawful acts committed in the course of business.
Penalties vary by offence and severity. They can include imprisonment, fines, confiscation or forfeiture of assets, professional disqualification, and civil liabilities. Administrative regulators may impose additional sanctions such as licence revocation or market bans. The consequences for reputation and business continuity can also be severe.
No. Even if investigators appear cooperative, anything you say can be used in evidence. A lawyer can help protect your rights, advise on whether to answer questions, and ensure that you do not inadvertently admit liability or hamper your defence. If you are approached by investigators at your workplace or home, politely request to speak with a lawyer before giving substantive answers.
Gather all documents and records relevant to the matter - contracts, bank statements, invoices, emails and correspondence, accounting records, board minutes and internal policies. Also prepare a factual chronology, names of others involved and any regulatory or investigative notices you have received. Do not destroy or alter documents - that can itself be a criminal offence.
Cooperation can sometimes be a mitigating factor and may lead to reduced administrative or criminal penalties, particularly if you provide meaningful assistance, restitution or help uncover wider wrongdoing. The value of cooperation should be assessed with legal counsel - unstructured cooperation without strategic advice can carry risks.
White-collar matters often take many months or years, depending on complexity, number of parties, volume of documents and court workloads. Investigations, forensic accounting and legal motions add time. Your lawyer can provide a realistic timeline for different stages and advise on options to speed resolution where possible.
Legal aid may be available to those who meet financial eligibility requirements for criminal defence. Some lawyers and firms provide pro bono or reduced-fee services in certain cases. Contact the local bar association or seek an initial consultation with a lawyer to explore legal aid eligibility and fee arrangements.
If you need further information or to report suspected wrongdoing, these types of organisations and authorities can be relevant in and around Acharnes:
- Local police economic crime or financial-crime units - for reporting or to learn about an ongoing investigation.
- The public prosecutor’s office in the relevant Athens judicial district - for criminal matters and procedural questions.
- The national financial intelligence unit - for reports or enquiries about suspicious transactions and anti-money-laundering procedures.
- Tax authorities and audit services - for tax audits and referrals related to tax fraud.
- Financial regulators and market supervisors - for securities and market conduct concerns.
- The Athens Bar Association - for referrals to criminal defence and white-collar specialists and information about legal aid.
- Private forensic accountants and compliance specialists - for evidence review, internal investigations and expert support.
If you are facing a potential or actual white-collar investigation in Acharnes, consider these immediate steps:
- Do not destroy, alter or hide documents - preserve records and communications relevant to the matter.
- Avoid giving detailed statements to investigators without legal advice - politely request counsel before answering substantive questions.
- Contact a lawyer with experience in white-collar crime and financial investigations - arrange an early consultation to review the facts and plan a defence or response strategy.
- Compile a factual chronology and collect key documents - this helps your lawyer assess risk and prepare for interviews, searches, or court proceedings.
- If a business is involved, consider engaging forensic accounting expertise and set up a privileged internal review coordinated by counsel.
- Be aware of potential civil and administrative consequences as well as criminal exposure - an integrated defence strategy can address multiple fronts at once.
Early and informed legal advice is often decisive in protecting rights, limiting exposure and achieving the best possible outcome. If you are uncertain where to start, reach out to the local bar association for referrals to qualified white-collar defence lawyers in the Athens area who are familiar with matters arising in Acharnes.
