Hellenic Police report on solved thefts and burglaries: 7 out of 10 Greek gangs consist of Roma, while 18.71% are foreign nationals

Theft–burglaries: domestic groups dominate, Albanian groups make up nearly half of foreign ones

Domestic groups play a dominant role (76.26% of the total) in thefts and burglaries. They are followed by foreign groups (18.71%), while 5.04% of groups consist of both Greeks and foreigners.

As for Greek criminal groups involved in thefts and burglaries, according to the EL.AS report (p. 66): “In Greek groups, those composed overwhelmingly of Roma members are dominant (76.69% of domestic groups).” Additionally, 1% of domestic groups include members originating from Greek expatriates of the former USSR.

Regarding the countries of origin of members of criminal groups involved in thefts and burglaries: after Greeks come Romania, Albania, Georgia, Algeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Palestine, Spain, Serbia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Cuba, Libya, Moldova, and Bangladesh.

Beyond groups operating exclusively in Greece, the country also serves as a base for internationally mobile criminal organizations, mainly from Balkan and Eastern countries (Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia), which commit crimes across much of Europe (the best known being the international criminal group “VOR V ZAKONE (THIEVES IN LAW)”).

Targets of criminal groups

The main target of these groups is homes (43.66%), followed by shops and businesses such as supermarkets, mini-markets, kiosks, petrol stations, jewelry stores, pharmacies, bakeries, gambling shops, and companies (33.17%). These also include thefts from pedestrians, tourists, elderly people, migrants, or car break-ins. A small percentage concerns thefts from religious sites such as churches and monasteries.

How home burglaries are carried out

Criminal groups commit burglaries throughout the day, entering homes by forcing doors, windows, or balconies using tools such as screwdrivers, credit cards, lock picks, or keys. They exploit unsecured entry points, climb into first-floor apartments or descend into penthouses, and often impersonate utility workers (electricians, municipal employees, tax officials, elevator technicians, etc.), or vendors (fruit sellers, religious icon sellers), distracting victims. They also use scams involving fake tax refunds, supposed debts of relatives, or fake emergencies such as traffic accidents requiring urgent medical treatment.

Theft from shops and businesses

Daytime shoplifting often involves distraction techniques or concealing goods in clothing or backpacks. At night, burglars use tools to cut security shutters, commit “rifi-fi” style break-ins, or smash glass using stones or metal objects. Targets include safes, goods, and cash registers.

Theft on public transport and vehicles

Pickpocketing in public transport is also common, using “artificial crowding” techniques to steal wallets, phones, and bank cards.

Six criminal organizations involved in metal theft were dismantled, targeting transformers, copper wiring, and photovoltaic equipment, exposing perpetrators to risks such as electrocution and causing potential power outages.

Additional findings

Most groups are small, with 64.75% consisting of 2–5 members. 26.62% consist of 6–12 members, while 8.63% have more than 12 members.

97.24% of groups use countermeasures such as lookouts, stolen cars, fake plates, face masks, jammers, spray to disable cameras, and more. 17.99% of proceeds are laundered through real estate, businesses, luxury cars, and jewelry.

Some offenders display their illegal wealth on social media, which leads to arrests. Most groups are short-lived: 66.19% operate for up to six months, while only 15.83% last more than a year.

In 2024, 131 groups committed 2,903 thefts and burglaries. Arrests often disrupt activity, but in some cases groups continue operating or restart after release from prison.

Over half (51.24%) of members had prior criminal records involving property crimes. Estimated profits reached €17.9 million, a record since 2020.