Naples, mega-fraud on EU funds: 6 arrests and seizures of one million

Naples – A gang specializing in million-dollar scams, which promised victims access to subsidized financing from the European Union and the monetization of credits deriving from Ecobonus and Superbonus 110%, has been dismantled by the Guardia di Finanza of Naples.

Six people were arrested – three in prison and three under house arrest – while assets worth over one million euros were seized, including foreign bank accounts and luxury watches worth 60 thousand euros.

The trap of fake EU funds

The criminal group, with operational bases in Campania and Lazio but international ramifications, lured entrepreneurs with the promise of financing at advantageous rates and rapid times. To support the scam, they provided counterfeit documentation with logos and letterheads of the European Commission, pushing victims to pay money into accounts in Ireland and Lithuania.

The scammers claimed that the funds would be disbursed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) through an Irish company, presented as an accrediter of surety bonds. In reality, 1% of the sums collected were transferred to Italy with bank transfers and cash withdrawals, managed by a courier paid on commission.

Corruption and money laundering: the connections with public administration

The investigations of Economic and Financial Police Unit of Naples, coordinated by Prosecutor's Office of North Naples (pm Caesar Sirignano), have also brought to light alleged payments to public officials, still unidentified, to alter evidence and ensure the group's impunity.

Those arrested are accused of criminal association, fraud, abusive financial activity and self-laundering. The operation demonstrates how the phenomenon of fraud linked to EU funds and tax incentives continue to evolve, taking advantage of the lack of information and business confidence.