Being a victim of crime is disorientating, and more so in a country whose language and procedures you may not know. The police and the prosecutor have the official role, but their resources are limited and their priorities are set by the public interest, not by your particular case. A private investigator in Greece can work exclusively for you: locating witnesses, securing footage before it disappears and building a clear, documented account of what happened.
The office of Petros Drolias, licensed private investigator in Athens since the early 1990s, has handled more than 1,500 cases in 14 countries. In criminal matters we act for victims and their lawyers, and sometimes for insurers. We work alongside the authorities, never against them, and always within the law.
What criminal investigations cover
These six services cover the incidents where victims most often need independent fact-finding. In every case our findings are delivered to you and your lawyer, who decides how they should be presented to the police, the prosecutor or the court.
Abduction and kidnapping
Abduction cases, including the removal of a child by a parent across borders, are among the most urgent and sensitive we see. The police must always be informed first. We then support the family and their lawyer by gathering information on the likely whereabouts of the people involved, documenting circumstances and coordinating with collaborators abroad where needed. Speed, discretion and close liaison with the authorities matter more than anything.
Bodily harm
After an assault, evidence fades fast. CCTV footage held by shops and businesses is routinely overwritten within days, and witnesses forget or move on. We identify and approach potential witnesses, ask lawful holders of footage to preserve it, document the scene and reconstruct the sequence of events. Your lawyer receives a structured report to support the criminal complaint or a civil claim for damages.
Road traffic accidents
When liability after a road accident in Greece is disputed, independent facts carry weight. We photograph and measure the scene, record road conditions and signage, find witnesses, look for available footage and build a timeline. This is useful to victims, especially visitors who left the country soon after the accident, to their lawyers and to insurers assessing a claim. See also our work for insurance companies.
Sexual harassment
Harassment, at work or elsewhere, often happens without witnesses and is hard to prove. We work with care and respect for the victim, documenting patterns of behaviour, identifying people who saw relevant incidents and collecting lawful evidence from public places. The aim is to give the victim and their lawyer a solid factual base for a complaint to the employer, the authorities or the court.
Extortion and blackmail
Blackmail, including online sextortion where someone threatens to publish intimate material, needs a fast and calm response. We help you stop engaging, preserve messages and evidence correctly, identify what can be lawfully established about the source and work with your lawyer and the police's cybercrime unit. Our online investigations service covers the digital side in more depth.
Theft and burglary
Homes, holiday villas and business premises are all targets. We investigate the circumstances of a theft or burglary, look for patterns, witnesses and footage, check whether stolen items appear for sale through public channels and document everything for the police and the insurer. Where staff or contractors may be involved, we take particular care to protect their rights while establishing the facts.
How we work on a criminal matter
We start by listening, usually with your lawyer if you already have one, and by checking what the authorities have done so far. We then agree a plan focused on the facts that matter most and that are still recoverable. You receive a written cost estimate before any work begins.
Throughout the investigation, we keep your lawyer informed and avoid any step that could compromise the official proceedings or alert a suspect. The final deliverable is a written report with a chronology, witness details, photographs or video taken lawfully from public spaces and any material preserved for the case.
Acting quickly matters
In criminal matters, the first days are decisive. CCTV footage is often overwritten within a short period, witnesses scatter, physical traces are cleaned away and people's memories become less precise. Victims, especially those who are injured, in shock or about to return to another country, are rarely in a position to chase these things themselves.
If you have been the victim of a crime in Greece, these practical steps help, whatever you decide next:
- report the incident to the police and keep a copy or reference number of your statement
- seek medical attention and keep all medical documents, even for minor injuries
- write down everything you remember as soon as possible: times, places, descriptions, vehicle details
- note any shops, kiosks, hotels or businesses nearby that may have cameras
- keep all messages, call logs and social media contacts related to the incident; do not delete anything
- speak to a lawyer before giving further statements or signing documents you do not understand
For international visitors, an additional difficulty is following the case from abroad. Proceedings in Greece can take time, and a victim who has gone home may feel cut off. We can serve as your point of contact on the ground, coordinate with your Greek lawyer and report in English, so that your case continues to move forward even when you are not in the country.
Lawful methods, admissible evidence
Under Article 19(3) of the Greek Constitution, illegally obtained evidence cannot be used. Article 370A of the Penal Code criminalises illegal interception and recording, and personal data is processed in line with the GDPR and Law 4624/2019. That is why we never intercept communications, access someone else's accounts or devices, or obtain police, bank or telecom records. What we deliver is evidence that your lawyer can stand behind.
Talk to us in confidence
If you or someone close to you has been the victim of a crime in Greece, contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Call 24/7, send a message via our contact page or book a consultation. Lawyers handling criminal matters can also see how we support them on our page for law firms.