A Greek Air Force wing commander accused of spying for China used specialized encryption software and concealed devices to transmit classified NATO data, authorities revealed following an arrest triggered by a CIA tip-off.

New information about how the 54-year-old Air Force colonel who was arrested spied for China has come to light.

European prosecutors are investigating a large-scale VAT and customs fraud scheme linked to Chinese organised crime that has touched multiple EU countries. In June, Greek authorities raided offices at the port of Piraeus and uncovered €2.7mn in cash in the office of a customs broker, plus another €300,000 at his home. The seizures were part of a wider European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) probe, which has already frozen over €5mn in bank accounts, confiscated €4.8mn in cash, and seized properties, vehicles, and more than 2,400 shipping containers worth an estimated €250mn.