Luxembourg fraudster arrested in Athens
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Frenchman Philippe Stanislas Antoine Vasila, 57, who was wanted on fraud charges, was detained in Athens on 2 December. His name appeared on the list of Europe's most wanted criminals less than a month ago, on 11 November 2024.
Vasila is suspected of fraudulently raising around €5.4m between 2013 and 2014 by posing as a successful entrepreneur, lawyer and investment fund manager. Promising investors substantial profits from a project to develop autonomous drones, he allegedly diverted the money to foreign company accounts to finance his own luxurious life.
The arrest was made possible through the coordinated work of the FAST units of Luxembourg and Greece, part of ENFAST (European Network for the Active Search for Fugitives). Information from Luxembourg authorities about Vasila's whereabouts in Athens allowed the Greek security services to organise surveillance at key points in the city. Vasila was apprehended in the early hours of 2 December.
The Greek judiciary will consider extraditing Vasil to Luxembourg, where two European arrest warrants are pending against him. If he is transferred to Luxembourg, the judicial investigation into the alleged offences will continue.
