Italian tax police seize assets in fraud investigations in Trani and Basilicata

The Guardia di Finanza seized assets worth about €20 million in Trani, Apulia, after uncovering a network of 80 companies that used 32 phantom firms to issue false invoices totalling €136 million and obtain more than €30 million in illicit VAT refunds. The operation, coordinated by the Puglia prosecutor, led to the seizure of 32 ghost companies, two large warehouses and assets from 47 enterprises, with 65 people charged for fraud, tax evasion and bankruptcy.

In a separate case in the Vulture‑Melfese area of Basilicata, the same financial police seized assets exceeding €310 000 from an agricultural entrepreneur accused of diverting €760 000 from a corporate account to personal use and failing to declare the income, resulting in alleged IRPEF evasion of more than €310 000. The seizure was ordered by the Tribunal of Potenza on a request from the Procura della Repubblica di Potenza.