What Is “Paidiki Chara” (“Playground”)?
The NGO “Paidiki Chara” presented itself as a Thessaloniki-based charity that raised donations for seriously ill children.
However, an investigation by the authorities found that its members had allegedly misappropriated funds* from donations, defrauding donors and the children’s families. Some of the money was also allegedly used to finance match-fixing in football.
Misappropriation refers to unlawfully taking money that belongs to someone else but was initially entrusted to the person in a legitimate capacity.
Six Arrests
Six people have been arrested in connection with the case, including the NGO’s 37-year-old founder, his partner and her brother, as well as refereeing officials and representatives of a local sports club.
The suspects were granted additional time to appear before an investigating magistrate, with their hearings scheduled over the following three days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, depending on the individual). They remain in custody in the meantime.
The Charges
The suspects face four felony charges and one misdemeanor charge, depending on their alleged involvement:
The Illicit Gains
According to the authorities’ investigation, the NGO organized 92 fundraising campaigns for 74 children, 55 of whom have been identified.
An examination of 34 families found that €3,940,692 had been raised, but only €1,111,176 had been passed on to the beneficiaries.
According to the case file, the illicit gains are estimated at €2,829,516.
Money Laundering
Those involved allegedly used a complex system to launder the illicit proceeds, involving successive bank transfers, withdrawals and redeposits, shell companies, falsified documents and betting accounts.
Investigators examined 29 bank accounts and more than 246,000 transactions. Total deposits into accounts belonging to the NGO and its 37-year-old founder exceeded €5.8 million.
Some of the money was allegedly spent on luxury clothing, travel and restaurants.
The Role of Social Media
The fundraising campaigns were promoted on social media, highlighting the children’s medical conditions and their needs for hospitalization, medical procedures, transportation or temporary accommodation.
Photographs and personal details were frequently shared, giving donors the impression that their contributions would be used to cover specific needs.
Donors included several well-known artists, athletes and businesspeople.
Match-Fixing
Some of the money was allegedly used to finance football clubs and bribe referees to influence match results, with payments ranging from €300 to €500 per match.
More than €250,000 was allegedly allocated to finance two local football teams in Pieria.
Sources
ANA-MPA (Athens-Macedonian News Agency)
Kathimerini: Article 1 | Article 2
