Italian financial‑fraud crackdown seizes €20 million and 32 phantom firms in Trani

The Guardia di Finanza of the Barletta‑Andria‑Trani provincial command, together with the Trani public prosecutor, carried out a large‑scale operation that resulted in the preventive seizure of assets worth about €20 million. Investigators uncovered a network of roughly 80 companies operating across Italy, centred on 32 so‑called “cartiera” ghost firms that had no employees, premises or real activity. Between 2023 and 2025 these phantom companies issued false invoices for over €136 million, creating illicit VAT advantages of more than €30 million.

The seizure affected the corporate assets of 47 enterprises, including the premises of two emporia in Trani, and placed a total of 65 people under investigation for fraud, false invoicing, tax evasion and bankruptcy offenses. The court ordered the closure of two active VAT numbers and administrative liability for the 32 phantom firms. The operation illustrates the Italian authorities’ ongoing fight against complex fiscal fraud schemes.

Key facts: €20 million in assets seized; 32 ghost companies dismantled; €136 million in fabricated invoices; more than €30 million in illegal VAT gains; 65 suspects; 47 businesses impacted.