Messina authorities seize 170,000 euros in agricultural fraud case

Authorities in Messina have seized approximately 170,000 euros in assets and cash following an investigation into agricultural fraud. The operation, coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) through the Palermo office, targeted three individuals and an agricultural company.

The investigation revealed a fraudulent scheme designed to illicitly obtain public funds from the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), which is intended to support farmer income and rural development. The suspects allegedly used an agricultural company based in Fondachelli Fantina to submit applications based on false and non-existent documents.

To appear eligible for community aid, the suspects reportedly used invalid land titles to claim control over agricultural surfaces they did not actually possess or manage. The seizure includes both liquid assets and real estate to compensate for the fraudulent gains.