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Alleged mega-fraud under investigation in Athens

Greek prosecutors and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) are investigating alleged misuse of European Union (EU) research money by a group of Greek academics.

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“OLAF is investigating allegations of fraud in relation to EU funded research projects in Greece,” Johan Wullt, deputy spokesman of the Brussels-based agency told Nature. Pending the completion of this investigation, OLAF will not comment on any details of the accusations, he said.

A 7 November article in the Greek weekly newspaper Proto Thema , titled “Sir, where did you find the Porsche” (Google translation here) reported that up to 20 distinguished professors at several Athens-based universities have been accused by an unnamed whistleblower of misuse of no less than €150-200 million of European research money, mainly from the EU’s Information Technology research programmes.


According to the Proto Thema piece, Greek prosecutors have searched the homes and offices of several academics suspected of having embezzled EU funds over a period of 10 years.

The group allegedly produced fake studies and virtual invoices from letterbox companies in Cyprus to cash millions in EU research grants, but used most of the money to finance their lives of luxury.

“We are aware of the accusations and we can confirm that Greek authorities are investigating the case,” Konstantinos Papageorgiou, head of section for EU affairs in the Greek finance ministry, told Nature in an email.

He said prosecutors cannot yet reveal details of the investigation, nor whom the accusations are aimed at.

According to Proto Thema, suspects allegedly include faculty members of the National Technology University of Athens (NTUA). But in response to enquiries from Nature, NTUA officials said they are unaware of the accusations.

“Investigations or accusations of any kind whatsoever against NTUA on this or a similar matter have not been forwarded to our administration by any official State or European community authority,” a legal counsel to the NTUA told Nature in an email.

Once officially informed about the allegations, the university will “proceed with all necessary measures,” she says.

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