The Hellenic Police, in a significant operation supported by Europol, have cracked down on an Athens-based criminal network accused of document fraud and migrant smuggling, leading to the seizure of almost 5,000 forged documents. This international operation, spanning from September 2023 to February 2024, resulted in 11 arrests and the dismantling of four print shops.
Investigators revealed that the network, operational since September 2023, specialised in producing high-quality falsified travel and identification documents, facilitating illegal EU entry and stay for irregular migrants. The operation culminated in a series of four action days, uncovering over 50 cases related to air smuggling.
The crackdown led to the arrest of 11 individuals, including nationals from Palestine, Latvia, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. Authorities also confiscated 4,650 illegal documents, sophisticated printing equipment, and over EUR 20,000 in cash. The cost for these counterfeit documents ranged between EUR 400 to EUR 1,200, reflecting the high technical proficiency used in their production.
The seized forged documents, estimated to have a market value of EUR 600,000, predominantly imitated EU countries’ identification papers, highlighting the criminal network’s vast operation scale. The group also facilitated air smuggling for irregular migrants at a fee of EUR 6,000 each, incorporating flight tickets and forged documents.
Investigations emphasised the ring avoided direct interactions with clients, relying on intermediaries to conduct transactions and distribute the fake documents. The collaboration among independent print shops was pivotal, exchanging raw materials and specialised document preparation services.
This operation underscores the rising trend of using fraudulent documents for migrant smuggling and illegal EU entry. Europol’s involvement was crucial, providing operational analysis and real-time support during the field activities, which were instrumental in the network’s shutdown.
Europol continues to stress the importance of international cooperation in tackling document fraud related to migrant smuggling, viewing it as a critical component in safeguarding EU borders and ensuring the effectiveness of future investigations.
