- Police in northern Greece dismantled a large-scale olive oil fraud ring.
- Three suspects were arrested near Veria, west of Thessaloniki.
- Cheap sunflower oil was mixed with color and scent additives and sold as “extra virgin olive oil.”
- At least 600 tons were sold on the Greek market.
- Another 81 tons were exported to Germany in the past ten months.
- Authorities estimate illegal profits of €3.4 million and unpaid taxes of €440,000.
- Olive oil fraud remains a persistent problem, with six similar rings dismantled since November 2024.
Police in northern Greece have uncovered an alleged fraud operation that turned cheap sunflower oil into “award-winning” extra virgin olive oil — at least on the label.
According to authorities, the ring sold hundreds of tons of adulterated oil on the Greek market. It exported significant quantities to Germany, generating illicit profits exceeding €3 million.
Three individuals were arrested in the area of Veria, west of Thessaloniki, following an investigation into the scheme. They face charges including participation in a criminal organization and violations of food safety regulations.
How the Fraud Worked
Police say two of the suspects converted a storage space inside their home into a makeshift production workshop. There, large quantities of sunflower oil — far cheaper than olive oil and typically used for frying — were allegedly blended with coloring agents and aromatic additives.
The mixture was then packaged in plastic and metal containers and labeled as “extra virgin olive oil,” falsely attributed to well-known Greek regions associated with high-quality olive oil production.
The counterfeit product was distributed throughout Greece and exported to Germany, targeting consumers willing to pay premium prices for what they believed was authentic Greek olive oil.
The Scale of the Operation
Investigators believe the operation had been running since at least 2020.
Police estimate that:
- Around 600 tons of fake olive oil were sold domestically
- An additional 81 tons were exported to Germany over the past ten months
- Total illegal profits reached approximately €3.4 million
- Unpaid taxes and duties amounted to about €440,000
Authorities note that this case is far from isolated. Since November 2024, police in northern Greece have dismantled six similar fraud rings, arresting 20 suspects and seizing more than 40,000 liters of adulterated oil.
For Greece, where olive oil is not just a product but part of national identity and daily life, these cases strike at the heart of consumer trust — both at home and in key export markets.