Philippe Stanislas Antoine Wasila, a 57-year-old French national, was arrested in Athens on December 2nd in connection with a €5.4 million investment fraud case. The arrest was made possible through a collaborative effort between Luxembourg and Greek authorities.
Wasila is accused of defrauding investors between 2013 and 2014 by posing as a successful businessman, lawyer, and investment fund director. He allegedly deceived victims into investing in a non-existent autonomous drone development project, offering high returns. Instead of investing the money, Wasila is believed to have diverted it to fund his extravagant lifestyle, using a complex web of companies and foreign accounts.
The arrest followed a coordinated operation by the Fugitive Active Search Teams (FAST) of both Luxembourg and Greece, part of the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST). Authorities in Luxembourg provided information that helped pinpoint Wasila’s location in Athens, allowing Greek authorities to conduct surveillance and make the capture.
Just weeks before his arrest, Wasila was added to Europe’s Most Wanted list on November 11, 2024. He is currently awaiting an extradition hearing in Greece, where a court will decide whether to extradite him to Luxembourg under two European arrest warrants. If extradited, Wasila will face judicial proceedings in Luxembourg.
