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White collar crime in Vouliagmeni refers to non-violent offenses that are typically financial or corporate in nature, such as fraud, embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, forgery, tax evasion, market abuse, computer fraud, and breaches of trust by managers. Vouliagmeni is part of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in the Attica Region, so investigations and prosecutions are handled by the Athens authorities and courts. Cases are prosecuted under the Greek Penal Code, special economic crime statutes, and the Criminal Procedure Code, with oversight and parallel proceedings possible before regulatory bodies such as the tax authority and financial regulators. The area’s strong ties to tourism, hospitality, real estate, and professional services mean that compliance with tax, anti-money laundering, data protection, and corporate governance rules is particularly important for individuals and businesses.
This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are under investigation or suspect exposure to liability, consult a qualified lawyer licensed in Greece without delay.
You may need immediate legal assistance if you receive a summons from the Athens Prosecutor’s Office, the Financial Crime Prosecutor, or the police, if your home or office in Vouliagmeni is searched, if accounts are frozen, or if you are asked to provide documents or a statement. Businesses often need counsel when auditors discover irregularities, when whistleblowing reports are filed, or when tax or regulatory inspections identify potential offenses. Cross-border elements are common in white collar matters, so you may need coordinated advice on requests for mutual legal assistance, extradition exposure, or compliance with EU regulations. A lawyer can help protect your rights during interviews, manage communications with authorities, preserve legal privilege, conduct internal investigations, negotiate with prosecutors, and mitigate reputational and financial harm. Victims of white collar crime also benefit from legal guidance to file a complaint, seek asset freezing, and pursue compensation.
White collar offenses are mainly set out in the Greek Penal Code and special statutes. Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, computer fraud, breach of trust by managers, bribery and corruption, and cyber offenses are criminalized with penalties that range from fines and suspended sentences for minor cases to multi-year imprisonment for felony-level conduct. The monetary impact often determines whether a case is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Large-scale damage usually arising when the unlawful benefit or loss exceeds a statutory threshold such as 120,000 euro typically triggers felony treatment and stronger penalties. Aggravating factors include acting professionally or habitually, use of sophisticated means, or victimizing the State or a financial institution.
Anti-money laundering rules are consolidated in Law 4557-2018 and subsequent amendments. Obliged entities such as banks, accountants, notaries, lawyers in certain contexts, real estate agents, casinos, and dealers in high-value goods must apply customer due diligence, keep records, and file suspicious transaction reports with the Hellenic Authority for Combatting Money Laundering. Breaches can lead to significant administrative fines and reputational consequences, and criminal laundering charges can be brought even if the predicate offense occurred abroad.
Tax offenses are addressed in the Code of Tax Procedure Law 4174-2013 and related legislation. Serious tax evasion, use of false invoices, and non-remittance of VAT can result in criminal prosecution alongside administrative assessments by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Payment or settlement of tax debts can mitigate or, in some cases, affect the course of criminal proceedings, subject to statutory conditions.
Market abuse such as insider dealing and market manipulation is primarily governed by EU rules including the Market Abuse Regulation, supervised in Greece by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. Criminal sanctions for certain market abuse behaviors are provided under Greek law, while administrative enforcement actions can include heavy fines and professional bans.
Procedurally, preliminary investigations are overseen by prosecutors and investigating judges in Athens. Authorities can order searches and seizures with judicial authorization, obtain banking and tax records, and freeze assets. The AML Authority can issue urgent freezing orders. Defendants have rights to remain silent, to counsel, and to an interpreter. Pre-trial detention is exceptional but possible in felonies with strict time limits. Access to the case file expands after initial procedural milestones. Plea bargaining and cooperation mechanisms exist under the Criminal Procedure Code and can lead to sentence reductions in eligible cases. Compensation of victims before judgment may mitigate penalties in certain property crimes. Companies do not generally bear criminal liability under the Penal Code, but sectoral laws impose administrative sanctions, confiscation of proceeds, and debarment risks, and individuals such as directors and officers can face criminal charges personally.
Data protection rules under the EU GDPR and Greek Law 4624-2019 affect how evidence, employee communications, and customer data may be collected and processed during internal reviews. Whistleblower protections under Law 4990-2022 support safe reporting channels and impose compliance duties on certain employers.
Authorities frequently see allegations of fraud against businesses and tourists, embezzlement by employees or managers, use of false invoices and tax evasion in hospitality and services, bribery connected to permits or public procurement, money laundering involving real estate transactions, forgery of documents, computer fraud and data breaches, and insider trading or market manipulation for those active in capital markets.
Investigations are led by the Athens Prosecutor’s Office and investigating judges, supported by the Hellenic Police Economic Police and the Cyber Crime Division. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue handles tax crimes, the Hellenic Authority for Combatting Money Laundering issues freezing orders and receives suspicious reports, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission supervises market abuse, the Bank of Greece supervises financial institutions, and the Financial Crime Prosecutor coordinates complex economic cases. Vouliagmeni falls under the jurisdiction of the Athens courts and prosecutors.
Contact a lawyer immediately, share the summons, and do not respond substantively before receiving legal advice. Preserve all potentially relevant records, suspend routine deletion policies, and avoid discussing the matter with colleagues or third parties outside privileged channels. Your lawyer can communicate with the authority, clarify your status, arrange a time to appear, and prepare you for questioning.
Yes, with a prosecutor’s or judge’s order, authorities may search premises and seize devices and records. In urgent situations, they may act immediately but must follow legal safeguards. You have the right to a lawyer’s presence, to receive a seizure record, and to request copies of seized digital data for business continuity. Attorney-client privileged materials and certain professional confidences are protected by law, subject to specific procedures.
Greek law differentiates between misdemeanors and felonies largely by the financial impact and aggravating circumstances. Minor cases may result in fines or suspended sentences. Cases involving large-scale damage typically associated with amounts exceeding a statutory threshold such as 120,000 euro are often charged as felonies and carry multi-year imprisonment, higher fines, and potential asset confiscation. Habitual or professional commission can further aggravate penalties.
Individuals such as directors, officers, employees, and external collaborators can face criminal charges. Legal entities generally do not bear criminal liability under the Penal Code, but sector-specific laws impose administrative penalties on companies, including heavy fines, confiscation of proceeds, disqualification of managers, and exclusion from public tenders. Compliance programs, training, and prompt remedial actions can mitigate exposure.
Obliged entities must identify and verify clients, assess risk, monitor transactions, keep records, and report suspicious activity to the AML Authority. Real estate agents, accountants, auditors, notaries, and certain lawyers in financial or transactional work are within scope. Failure to comply can lead to administrative sanctions, and involvement with proceeds of crime can trigger criminal liability even if the predicate offense occurred abroad.
Yes, prosecutors, investigating judges, and the AML Authority can order freezing or seizure of assets to secure confiscation or restitution. You can file a motion to lift or modify the measure by demonstrating lack of necessity or disproportionality, or by offering guarantees. Timely challenges and supporting evidence are important, and courts will weigh victims’ interests and the risk of dissipation.
Plea bargaining and negotiated resolutions exist for eligible offenses and can reduce penalties if you accept responsibility. Early compensation of the victim may mitigate sentences in certain property crimes. In tax cases, payment or settlement with the tax authority may influence criminal proceedings under statutory rules. Cooperation with authorities and robust remediation can be considered at sentencing. Your lawyer can assess eligibility and strategy.
You have the right to remain silent, to be informed of the accusations, to communicate with and be assisted by a lawyer, and to an interpreter if needed. You must be brought promptly before a prosecutor or investigating judge if detained. Do not sign statements you do not understand or agree with. Ask to record any objections about procedure. Exercise your rights respectfully and consistently.
Hellenic Police Economic Police and Cyber Crime Division investigate economic and cyber offenses. The Athens Prosecutor’s Office and the Financial Crime Prosecutor handle complex white collar cases. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue addresses tax offenses and audits. The Hellenic Authority for Combatting Money Laundering supervises reporting and issues freezing orders. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission regulates and enforces market abuse rules. The Bank of Greece supervises financial institutions for compliance. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority oversees GDPR compliance. The Hellenic Competition Commission handles antitrust and leniency applications where relevant. The Athens Bar Association can help locate qualified defense counsel. Contact details are available through their official channels.
If you believe you are under investigation or at risk, consult a Greek criminal defense lawyer with white collar experience in Athens. Share all documents including summonses, search warrants, freezing orders, and correspondence. Do not contact authorities or potential witnesses without advice. Preserve emails, messages, financial records, and device backups, and issue a legal hold within your company to prevent deletion.
Work with counsel to map the facts and timeline, identify custodians of data, and assess exposure under the Penal Code and special laws. Discuss whether immediate remediation, compensation, or self-reporting is advisable. Review insurance coverage such as D&O or crime policies. Plan communications to staff and stakeholders to maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection rules. If you are a victim, your lawyer can file a criminal complaint, seek urgent asset freezing, and pursue compensation in criminal or civil courts.
White collar cases are time-sensitive. Acting quickly, preserving evidence, and obtaining qualified legal help in Vouliagmeni and Athens can significantly affect outcomes and help protect your rights and business.
