Greek F-16 pilot landed in Turkey, withdrew 2,000 euros from ATM and returned home

An unnamed pilot of the Hellenic Air Force allegedly hijacked his F-16 fighter jet and landed in neighboring Turkey to withdraw 2,000 euros from an ATM, thus avoiding strict limits on cash withdrawals in Greece, reports the British Telegraph, according to the Patria news agency.

The pilot was patrolling over the Greek island of Samos on Saturday when he 'suddenly changed course and headed for an abandoned runway' in the town of Soke, just three kilometers away in western Turkey, according to a French aviation portal.

After that, he 'hid' the $15 million aircraft in a nearby hangar and headed to the city center, where he withdrew about 2,000 euros in Turkish lira from three ATMs, and then exchanged them for euros at an exchange office. He then took off again with his plane and returned to the Nea Anchialos base in Greece.

A Greek government official admitted to hearing about the incident but refused to comment.

In Greece, it is still allowed to withdraw a maximum of 40 euros per day from ATMs, and there are long queues in front of banks, where 60 euros can be withdrawn.

The Greek news agency reported on Monday that it will soon no longer be possible to withdraw cash abroad with Greek credit cards, but only to purchase goods and services, which is a possible reason for the unusual behavior of the Greek pilot.