Europol denounces: 'The Camorra counterfeiters' network put 233 million counterfeit euros into circulation'
Europol has provided further details of the major operation conducted between Italy, Belgium and France, which led to the dismantling of one of the largest euro counterfeiting networks ever set up, with the arrest of 44 suspects and the freezing of assets resulting from fraudulent activities worth €8 million in Italy: including 50 apartments, 8 commercial premises, 2 farms, 10 companies operating in various sectors, 12 vehicles, 1 luxury boat and 22 bank accounts. The investigation began in October 2017 with the seizure of €50 banknotes in the province of the Italian city of Benevento. Forensic examination of the banknotes confirmed that the counterfeits were produced using sophisticated printing methods, which require both a high level of technical expertise and good quality of machinery and raw materials. The counterfeiters imitated all the key security features of genuine euro banknotes. The criminal network is believed to have produced and distributed over three million counterfeit banknotes over the years with a total face value of over €233 million, which represents a quarter of all counterfeit euro banknotes detected in circulation since the introduction of the euro. According to Europol, this network could well be the largest ever broken up since the early days of the euro currency.
The mastermind behind the criminal organization has been involved in currency counterfeiting for over 20 years. Not only did he set up the entire network responsible for producing euros and other counterfeit currencies, but he also organized their distribution on the European market. The investigation revealed links to the Italian criminal network, the Camorra. Other criminal affiliates sought new distribution channels in Italy and abroad. In Naples, in February 2018, preliminary investigations led to the seizure of almost 450.000 counterfeit 50 and 100 euro banknotes with a total face value of 41 million, found hidden in barrels. In July 2018, an illegal mint shop for 50 euro coins was also dismantled in the Italian province of Lombardy. Four suspects were arrested during these days of action. At the same time, simultaneous actions coordinated by Europol took place in France and Belgium. Europol supported the operation by facilitating the exchange of information, providing analytical support and coordinating harmonized enforcement actions across Member States. During the raid, Europol deployed an expert to Italy to verify real-time operational information against Europol databases and provide expert knowledge on euro counterfeiting on the ground.
Salvatore Giordano's death: sentences finalized for Galleria Umberto I collapse
The Court of Cassation has brought an end to the trial into the death of Salvatore Giordano, the 14-year-old boy who died after being hit by collapsing rubble in the Galleria Umberto I in Naples. The judges of the Fourth Section declared the appeals filed by two of the defendants inadmissible, making the convictions final...
SuperEnalotto: No 6, but the dream grows: a $121 million jackpot ignites the hunt for a millionaire.
Today's draw of the Superenalotto It left everyone breathless. The numbers came out, the cards were checked one by one, but once again the "6" decided to remain hidden. And so, while no one managed to land the big score, the prize pool continues to rise and make the hearts of millions of players beat faster.
La winning combination of today's contest was:
1 - 52 - 57 - 71 - 76 - 83
Joker Number: 37
SuperStar Number: 3
Naples - The breaking point today is a return: Ugo De Lucia, already on semi-liberty, has been granted leave to attend a baptism in Secondigliano, a decision taken by the Venice surveillance office. The news, relaunched throughout the city, has rekindled the conflict—an age-old and never-so-quieted one—between the re-educational approach...
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