AADE: 18 arrests in “Straw Men” operation — what the investigation reports
The authority reports over €203 million owed to the state and EFKA and more than 4,200 tax IDs involved. Investigative findings are not court convictions.
Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) announced 18 arrests in its “Straw Men” operation on 7 November 2026, releasing findings from the DEOS investigation into hospitality and nightlife businesses in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki and other areas.
What the authority alleges
According to the full release, more than 4,200 tax IDs are associated with debts exceeding €203 million over the past three years: €68 million in VAT and income tax owed to AADE and €135 million in social-insurance contributions owed to EFKA. These are debts reported by the investigation, not money recovered.
AADE describes more than 2,000 businesses operating at over 700 locations and 1,300 individuals who, according to the authority, appeared as managers or partners on behalf of the actual business operators. Sixty inspectors and seven prosecutors participated in the investigation.
Investigative and judicial status
The release attributes an organising role to three accountants and a lawyer and alleges that vulnerable people were recruited for payment. These descriptions are findings and allegations of the investigating authority. The release does not announce a court ruling establishing guilt. Arrests are not convictions, and the presumption of innocence applies.
ERT’s latest public report also refers to at least 18 arrests. The official figure used here comes from AADE’s release.
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