An investigation conducted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome has brought to light a mega-scam of over one million euros linked to public funds, including those earmarked for the Covid emergency: 13 people have ended up under investigation.
Article Key Points
The charges range from aggravated scam atself-laundering, including two men from the province of Naples and a third resident of Montesano sulla Marcellana, in Cilento. The investigations, entrusted to the Guardia di Finanza, have reconstructed a series of illicit operations carried out between 2021 and 2022.
At the centre of the case is a limited liability company based in Roma, which allegedly obtained four unduly granted loans for a total of more than 1 million euros. Of these, 326 thousand euros were earmarked to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company's CEO allegedly falsified documents such as balance sheets, number of employees and turnover data. With these altered statements, the company managed to obtain funds, intended for supporting businesses, especially those with export activities to Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
Illicit management of funds
Once the funding was received through Medio Credito Centrale, the money would have been transferred to various current accounts, including those registered to the three Campania citizens involved in the investigation. To mask the illicit origin of the sums, the transfers were accompanied by fictitious reasons, now under the scrutiny of investigators.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, the funds were managed with the intent to conceal their origin, configuring the crime of self-laundering. After the notification of the conclusion of the investigation, the 13 suspects will have the term provided by law to request interrogations or present defense briefs, before the request for indictment is formalized.
Article published on 17 January 2025 - 13:58
It is very worrying that there are people who are exploiting the situation to earn money illegally, especially in such a difficult time as the pandemic. I hope that justice will be done and that those involved will be punished according to the law.