Naples, inherited wealth squanders gambling and ends up in the hands of loan sharks: assets worth 1,6 million seized, four under investigation

A property in the historic center of Naples, valued at approximately one million euros, plus €594.400 in cash and other financial assets, is under precautionary seizure, with a view to confiscation, from four individuals under investigation for conspiracy to commit usury.

The order, issued by the investigating judge of the Naples Court at the request of the Naples Prosecutor's Office, was executed by the State Police. The total value of the seized assets is nearly €1,6 million.

The Flying Squad's investigation

The investigation was conducted by the Naples Flying Squad and coordinated by the Economic Crimes Section of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation began with a complaint from an entrepreneur who, according to the investigation, had gradually squandered a significant family fortune due to gambling addiction.

The financial resources came largely from an inheritance and the sale of company shares attributable to the family, linked to a clothing brand.

After accumulating debts, the entrepreneur allegedly turned to individuals outside the normal credit circuits. He thus ended up in the network of loan sharks, to whom he then transferred money and real estate to repay the loans and accrued interest.

Properties sold at lower prices

Investigators reconstructed the entrepreneur's financial transactions and analyzed the bank accounts held in his name. This revealed transactions deemed anomalous, including the sale of properties at prices significantly below their actual value.

These transfers were accompanied by bank transfers with fictitious reasons. According to the prosecution's hypothesis, these transactions allowed the suspects to transfer sums of money and real estate to the suspects as payment for usurious loans.

The entrepreneur's assets would therefore have been progressively depleted, both in terms of liquidity and real estate.

The bank transfer system

During the investigation, numerous bank transfers were also discovered relating to purchases of company shares and real estate that were never actually realised.

The investigations also revealed the involvement of other individuals, believed by investigators to be part of an organized system for managing usurious loans to the detriment of the entrepreneur.

Based on the evidence gathered, the Prosecutor's Office requested and obtained a precautionary seizure order aimed at confiscating the assets and financial resources attributable to the suspects.

The charges will be verified during the subsequent phases of the proceedings. The individuals involved are to be presumed not guilty until a final verdict is reached.