Italy Takes on Financial Crimes: Guardia di Finanza Leads the Charge

The Italian legal economic system is under scrutiny as the Guardia di Finanza (GDF) takes a stand against financial crimes, ensuring transparency and integrity in the sector.

Combating Bank and Financial Abuse

The GDF’s investigative efforts focus on uncovering and repressing unauthorized bank and financial abuse that threatens the security of savers. This includes:

• Uncovering criminal schemes to exploit vulnerable individuals who cannot pay their debts
• Tracing and dismantling networks involved in illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing

Targeting Usury Crime

The GDF is also cracking down on usury crime, where criminal syndicates take advantage of individuals who are unable to repay debts. This includes:

• Identifying and prosecuting those responsible for exploiting vulnerable individuals
• Seizing assets and freezing bank accounts associated with illegal activities

Fighting Counterfeit Currency

The Group against Counterfeit Money and other Means of Payment within the GDF’s Special Currency Unit plays a crucial role in combating counterfeit currency. The unit collaborates closely with the Corps’ Special Unit for Privacy and Technological Frauds to:

• Trace production and distribution networks
• Identify fraudulent methods used to alter payment means, such as reproduced debit or credit cards

Information Sharing and Collaboration

Through information sharing between territorial and special units, the GDF is strengthening its fight against counterfeit money. Recognizing that these crimes often have far-reaching consequences beyond their place of origin, the agency is working together to:

• Enhance detection and prevention methods
• Protect individuals from financial losses caused by these crimes