Five pawnbrokers arrested in Thessaloniki
Five pawnshop owners were arrested in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Tuesday, following a two-day campaign by officers of the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) to check the finances and operating procedures of such establishments, which have seen flourishing business throughout the crisis-hit country as citizens go to lengths to secure cash revenues.
SDOE inspectors found that the majority of infringements concerned the non-payment of taxes, while they also found evidence to suggest that some pawnshops are dealing in items acquired through criminal activities as well as in antiquities.