The investigation by the economic and financial police unit of the Guardia di Finanza in Naples, coordinated by the local prosecutor's office (pm Luigi Landolfi), has led to the discovery of the undue perception of citizenship income by 285 non-EU nationals, amounting to over 2.3 million euros. Today, six arrests have been made - four in prison and two under house arrest - all allegedly members of a criminal association based in the capital of Naples. The crimes charged include, among others, conspiracy to commit a crime, aggravated fraud for obtaining public grants, usury, extortion, illegal financial activity and self-laundering.
The individuals who benefited from the income falsely claimed to have been residing in Italy for at least 10 years. They carried out simulated food purchases with Postepay cards and then had the paid sum returned in cash: the gang of fraudsters took a variable share between 10 and 20 percent. The mechanism involved the use of false invoices issued by a company that was in fact not operational. The proceeds of these crimes were then used to purchase properties to be registered in the names of their respective wives.
Those arrested today by the unit are also alleged to have lent money at a usurious rate varying from 30% to over 800%. The victims of usury - it emerged - are 15, all in serious financial difficulty, threatened and attacked when they did not meet payment deadlines. The financial police have carried out searches and seized handwritten notes, cash amounting to about 92,000 euros, as well as bank checks and bills of exchange for a total of about 158,000 euros. They also carried out the preventive seizure of financial availability as well as movable and immovable property for a total amount of approximately 90,000 euros.
During the investigative checks, the entire share capital and the corporate complex of the companies under investigation had already been seized.