Title: Italian Mafia Suspect and Alleged Criminal Association Members Arrested in €30 Million Money Laundering Scam 🚨

Published on: 27 February 2024

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Major Breakthrough in Ongoing EPPO Investigation 🔎

From 25 to 27 February 2024, law enforcement agencies led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo, Italy, conducted a series of searches, arrests, and seizures as part of an ongoing investigation into a transnational criminal association allegedly involved in aggravated VAT fraud and EU funding fraud.

Targeted Criminal Association Linked to Mafia ��acontrabando

The Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza), supported by units across the country, took precautionary measures against the suspects:

Ten individuals had arrest warrants issued.
Five were taken into custody.
Four were placed under house arrest.
One suspect remains at large.

A son of a high-ranking Santapaola mafia clan member, currently imprisoned for mafia association, was among those in custody. His suspected role as the leader of this criminal organization adds another layer to the complex Italian mafia landscape.

Restrictive Measures Imposed on 17 Suspects 🛐

Seventeen suspects were subjected to restrictive measures, prohibiting them from engaging in business activities or holding managerial positions for one year.

Seizures Made During Search Operations 🔓

During the searches, police seized the following assets, identified as proceeds of the criminal activity:

Bank accounts
98 units of real estate
20 cars
Jewellery
Luxury watches

Focus on Suspected Money Laundering Operation 💸

The investigation’s focus is a suspected money laundering operation active in the beverage trading sector. The suspects allegedly employed fraudulent tactics such as:

Issuing fake invoices
Fictitious transactions via foreign-based companies
Undercutting legitimate competitors
Leading to VAT losses (>€30 million)

The crimes under investigation include: 📜

VAT fraud
Aggravated EU funding fraud
Money laundering
Fraudulent bankruptcy

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) 🇪🇺

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

All those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.