Greek police drop theft case against cleaner after 50,000 euros found in home

Theft allegation in Panorama

Police in northern Greece have dropped criminal proceedings against a domestic worker falsely accused of stealing 50,000 euros and two British gold sovereigns from a residence in Panorama, Thessaloniki. The case began after a 51-year-old homeowner filed a formal complaint at the Pylaia-Chortiatis police station, accusing her cleaner of taking the cash and valuables. The accused worker, aged 26 or 28 depending on reporting sources, is a psychology student from Georgia who has lived in Greece while working part-time to support herself and her family. The employer had hired her for regular household cleaning in April 2026. Following the complaint, police detained the worker, who denied all involvement in the alleged theft.

Sequence of events on Monday

The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, 28 September 2026, when the cleaner arrived at the home at approximately 09:00 for her scheduled shift. The homeowner was absent, while her husband and minor child were resting inside. The worker observed that the husband was unwell with a fever and decided to leave early, departing at roughly 10:30. When the homeowner returned approximately one hour later, at 11:30, she began tidying clothes and noticed an open bag. The bag had contained 50,000 euros in bundles of 50, 100, and 200 euro banknotes, as well as two British gold sovereigns. Believing the items had been taken during the cleaner's shift, the homeowner reported the missing money to local authorities.

Search and discovery inside the property

A detailed search conducted during the police investigation established that the money and gold sovereigns had never been taken outside the residence. Officers and investigators discovered the full sum of 50,000 euros, still bundled in 50, 100, and 200 euro notes, along with the two British sovereigns intact in a different area of the house. The physical discovery proved that no theft had taken place and fully cleared the cleaner of wrongdoing. Following the recovery of the assets, the 51-year-old employer appeared before the Pylaia-Chortiatis police to formally withdraw her legal complaint. Prosecutors in Thessaloniki then revoked the criminal prosecution, leading to the immediate release of the detained worker from custody.

Exoneration and response

The student expressed relief following the dismissal of the case, explaining that she had feared the legal consequences and potential deportation from Greece. Her primary concern during detention was the risk that criminal proceedings could jeopardise her legal residency status.

“I worked for several months in this house, while at the same time studying psychology at university. I simply decided to work in parallel because I need money and also to be able to help my family financially. On Monday morning I went to my work as normal, but the husband was not feeling well, I think he had a fever, and I thought to leave.”

Following the withdrawal of the complaint and the conclusion of police inquiries, the student was able to return to her university studies in Thessaloniki without facing any legal penalties.