Italy busts luxury‑car rental fraud network

Italian police have dismantled an organized crime group that specialised in frauds related to the long‑term leasing of luxury automobiles. The investigation, coordinated by the Prosecutor’s Office in Bolzano and carried out by mobile squads from Siena and La Spezia, resulted in the notification of preliminary investigation notices against 41 people – 37 men and 4 women aged 32 to 73 – on charges of organised crime, fraud, money‑laundering, self‑laundering, receipt of stolen goods and false accusation.

The network, rooted in Campania and Tuscany, used fictitious companies, forged fiscal, banking and income documentation and front‑men to obtain long‑term lease contracts for high‑end vehicles. Once acquired, the cars were removed from the legitimate rental circuit, altered with foreign plates and, in many cases, exported abroad. Investigators also uncovered the involvement of accountants and other professionals who facilitated the scheme. The operation recovered evidence of more than €1.5 million in illicit proceeds and involved extensive searches across several Italian regions.

Authorities say the case demonstrates the capacity of criminal groups to exploit the luxury‑car leasing market on a serial basis and underline the importance of coordinated law‑enforcement actions to protect the public and the automotive sector.