An investigation started from a complaint for mistreatment brought to light a loan shark network in Torre del Greco.
A Torre Annunziata man was arrested on charges of extorting money from seven people, including the husband of the woman who reported him.The suspect, subjected to wiretaps, was caught while collecting a payment from one of his victims. The investigations revealed a modus operandi based on fear and intimidation, with requests for money ranging from 100 to 500 euros per month.
During a search, the carabinieri found over 20.000 euros in cash, jewelry, watches and an illegal weapon, confirming the man's illicit activity. Theusurer, who took advantage of the need of his victims, especially struggling merchants, now risks a conviction for 18 crimes, including usury, extortion and illegal possession of weapons
.A total of eighteen charges are being contested against him: fifteen for usury crimes, two for extortion and one related to weapons. The arrest was carried out red-handed by the Carabinieri of the Boscoreale station, who caught the man while he and his nephew, near the home of one of his victims, were collecting 300 euros as interest on a loan.
According to what was learned from the Torre Annunziata prosecutor's office, it all started with the complaint of a woman who was a victim of abuse who, when questioned by the military, said that her partner took it out on her because he was exasperated by the pressing debts contracted with loan sharks.
At this point the carabinieri began to check the woman's partner, managing to identify his usurer, whose telephone line was intercepted. Subsequent investigations revealed that the man had “relationships” with at least seven victims who, at the time of his arrest, paid him monthly sums of money ranging from 100 to 500 euros.
“Furthermore, the wiretaps revealed – as stated in one of the prosecutor's reports – the frenetic activity of collecting the installments and the pressure on the victims that the suspect allegedly put in place in reminding his debtors of the imminent deadlines, pressure that, in some cases, resulted in actual intimidating conduct, which therefore constitutes the crime of extortion”.
The victims of usury themselves were heard by the military and the judicial authorities: their statements not only confirmed the accusations, but also allowed to define the modus operandi of the loan shark, who took advantage of the state of need of the people – especially merchants – and of their need for liquidity.
After the arrest, the Carabinieri carried out a search of the suspect's home and of a piece of land owned by him, finding around 20.000 euros in cash, but also valuable jewellery and watches and an illegally held firearm.
Article published on November 21, 2024 - 17:17
this story of usury is very worrying, but it doesn't surprise me that much. economic problems often lead to difficult situations, and there are always people who take advantage of the difficulties of others. I hope that the victims can find help and that justice is done.