Bogus Greek priest conducted dozens of sham weddings

A 37-year-old man who is alleged to have posed as a priest and conducted dozens of bogus weddings between Greek and foreign nationals was detained on Thursday on multiple charges of fraud as well as facilitating the illegal entry of immigrants into the country, the police said in a statement.

According to a police investigation, the 37-year-old collaborated with an unknown number of associates to conduct marriages between Greeks and immigrants wanting to secure official residence status in the country.

The suspect appears to have had links to smuggling rackets too.

He is alleged to have conducted a total of 91 weddings.

A raid on his Athens home turned up an array of forgery equipment and fake stamps.