LAOS Leader Kampouris Arrested in $5M+ EFKA Fraud Scheme

Greek police arrested Filippos Kampouris, president of the LAOS party, on October 7 following a year-long investigation into a criminal organization accused of defrauding the Unified Social Security Fund (EFKA) and the state. His wife was also arrested as an alleged founding member of the ring. Authorities executed a total of 11 arrests, including accountants, fast-food business owners, and individuals described as "straw men" — two Greeks, a Bulgarian, and a Romanian — who allegedly fronted shell companies.

The scheme, active since 2021, involved opening fictitious firms using straw men on top of real businesses to issue invoices and avoid paying social security contributions. Investigators say the fraud caused an estimated 1.5 million euros in losses to EFKA specifically, with total damages to the state exceeding 5 million euros. Some reports cite total losses surpassing 7 million euros.

“I am innocent and this is a set-up against me.”

Financial investigators uncovered cash withdrawals exceeding 2.2 million euros and inter-company transfers over 1.3 million euros from corporate accounts between 2021 and 2025. During the same period, Kampouris declared annual income between 5,000 and 26,000 euros, while his wife declared up to 23,000 euros. Police also found 53,440 euros in a bank safe deposit box linked to his wife.

Prosecutors have ordered an investigation into possible tax evasion after evaluating financial data showing declared incomes far below the money flows detected. Authorities also noted Kampouris frequently traveled to expensive destinations and used rented luxury vehicles despite having no registered assets in his name.

The probe has expanded to over 29 companies across sectors including clothing, catering, nightclubs, and entertainment venues. Four well-known singers have testified that they signed performance contracts directly with Kampouris, not with the nominal owners of the venues, suggesting he exercised real control. EFKA spokesperson Fotini Vryna confirmed the fund is cooperating fully with judicial authorities and launched a new digital platform for citizen complaints.