Naples, the counterfeiting magician Alfredo Muoio asked for 20 euros for each fake 50 euro banknote

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The gang led by the 70-year-old expert counterfeiter Alfredo Muoio was able to continuously print perfectly counterfeit 50 euro notes. And this morning, thanks to a joint operation between the Guardia di Finanza of Naples and the Prosecutor's Office of Naples North, a real treasure trove of counterfeit banknotes was seized: a good 48 million euros in 50 euro notes.

The raid took place at dawn in a warehouse in the neighbourhood Ponticelli, where the gang had set up its clandestine laboratory. The military seized impressive offset machines from Casavatore, capable of printing very high-quality banknotes.

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In addition to the ringleader Muoio, six other members of the gang were arrested: two skilled forgers, the “vivandiere” who took care of their needs and kept in touch with Muoio, and three truck drivers whose job it was to move the machinery.

The quality of the banknotes

The quality of the banknotes was so high that the Special Unit of the Currency Police of Rome believed that they could be traced back to the “Napoli Group”, one of the most efficient cartels of counterfeiters in the world. Their selling price was 20 real euros for every 50 counterfeit euros.

Since last April, the two counterfeiters had been living in virtual isolation in the warehouse so as not to interrupt production. At the time of the raid, they were in possession of approximately 80.000 sheets, each of which depicted 12 50-euro notes of the Europa type.

Muoio is an old acquaintance of the police. A printer by profession, and owner of 'Muoiocartedagioco', he has dedicated his life to counterfeiting money. In 2006 he was arrested red-handed in a warehouse in Castel Volturno while printing fake 50 euro banknotes.

The new modus operandi

After the first arrest, Muoio decided to change his modus operandi: he delegated the production to his “most faithful” while remaining in the shadows himself. However, this expedient did not fool the financiers who managed to dismantle his gang.

The investigations continue to reconstruct the distribution network of the counterfeit banknotes and to identify any other accomplices. The operation confirms the commitment of the Guardia di Finanza in the fight against counterfeiting, a phenomenon that represents a serious damage to the economy and public safety.