Greece Scams: Online, Tourist & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Greece and how to report them to the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division, and your bank.
Emergency number: 100 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Greece faces a range of fraud including phishing targeting bank accounts, tourist-area street scams, investment fraud, and online marketplace non-delivery. The Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division operates a dedicated 11188 hotline and accepts online reports via the gov.gr platform.
For the millions of visitors, the risks cluster in predictable places. Athens airport and port taxis are the classic flashpoint — inflated flat 'fees', meters not started, or long routes — so agree fixed-rate fares in advance or use licensed apps. Nightlife districts in Athens host bar scams where a friendly stranger invites visitors for a drink and the bill arrives with astronomical charges backed by intimidating staff. On the islands, unlicensed boat-trip and tour sellers take cash for excursions that are overcrowded, misdescribed, or cancelled without refund, and quad and scooter rental operators can play the pre-existing damage game — photograph everything before riding. Fake accommodation listings for island high season collect deposits for rooms that don't exist; book through platforms with payment protection and be wary of hosts who push for direct transfer.
For residents, the pattern is the pan-European one: smishing impersonating banks, AADE (the tax authority), courier firms, and gov.gr itself, followed by fake bank 'security' calls harvesting e-banking codes; marketplace fraud on classified platforms; rental deposit scams in Athens' tight housing market; and investment fraud via social media crypto ads and Telegram groups. The Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Capital Market Commission publish warnings about unlicensed providers. When money moves, call your bank first — recall attempts work best within hours — then report to the Cyber Crime Division on 11188 or via gov.gr.
Common scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Greek banks or courier services
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Online marketplace non-delivery
- Rental deposit scams via fake listings
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging or unofficial taxis at airports and tourist sites
- Distraction pickpocketing in crowded areas
- Fake tour operators and boat-trip sellers on the islands
- Counterfeit goods at tourist markets
Online shopping scams
- Phishing emails impersonating Greek banks or AADE (tax authority)
- Fake online shops and classified listings
- Social media marketplace scams
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake seasonal job offers requiring upfront fees
- Hospitality 'placement agencies' charging for island jobs that don't exist
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and cryptocurrency investment grooming
- Holiday romances that continue online with escalating money requests
- Long-distance 'shipowner' or 'engineer' personas requesting transfer fees
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and clone broker firms
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
- Telegram and social media groups pushing unlicensed crypto platforms
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report cybercrime to the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division — call 11188 or report via gov.gr
- File a police complaint at the nearest police station (call 100 for emergencies)
- For consumer fraud, report via the Ministry of Development complaint platform at kataggelies.mindev.gov.gr
Local reporting & protection links
- Cybercrime reporting
- Consumer protection
- Police
- Cybercrime hotline — Dial 11188 to reach the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Call your bank first, using the number on your card and not one from the message or call that reached you. Greek banks can attempt to recall fraudulent transfers most effectively within the first few hours, so do this before anything else, then report to the Cyber Crime Division on 11188 and file the incident via gov.gr so your bank claim has an official reference. Tell the bank you were deceived into authorising the payment, ask for the receiving account to be reported, and note the reference number. If you entered e-banking codes on a page reached from an SMS, say so and have credentials reset from another device; if card details went into a fake courier or tax page, block and reissue the card and dispute the charges. Foreign visitors who paid by card for a scam tour, rental, or inflated bar bill should also pursue a chargeback through their home card issuer, with photos and receipts attached.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How do I report cybercrime in Greece?
Call the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division on 11188 or report online via the gov.gr platform. For in-person complaints, visit the nearest police station. The Cyber Crime Division also accepts reports by email at [email protected].
Are taxi overcharging scams common in Greece?
Yes, particularly at Athens airport and in tourist areas. Always use official taxis with meters, agree on the fare in advance for fixed-rate routes, or use a licensed ride-hailing app. Check that the meter is running from the start of your journey.
Does the AADE (Greek tax authority) contact citizens by SMS?
The Greek tax authority may send notifications, but it will not send unsolicited SMS messages asking for bank credentials or immediate payments via a link. Such messages are phishing attempts — report them to the Cyber Crime Division.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance