# Agricultural fraud investigations in Italy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-fraud-investigations-in-italy > Updated: 2026-09-17T09:45:00.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2. Italian authorities have conducted separate investigations into agricultural fraud involving the illicit acquisition of European Union funds through the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC). In the Lomellina region of Pavia, a three-year investigation led to the seizure of over 10 million euros in assets from 14 companies. These entities allegedly used prohibited pesticides and chemical fertilizers to boost yields, then falsely labeled the crops as organic to command premium prices. This scheme involved the sale of roughly 40,000 tons of rice and the fraudulent acquisition of approximately 400,000 euros in public subsidies. In Messina, a coordinated operation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) resulted in the seizure of 170,000 euros in cash and real estate. This investigation targeted three individuals and an agricultural company in Fondachelli Fantina accused of using false documents and invalid land titles to claim EU aid for land they did not manage. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-17: Messina authorities seize 170,000 euros in agricultural fraud case Italian authorities seized 170,000 euros in assets following an EPPO investigation into a scheme to fraudulently obtain EU agricultural funds in Messina. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messina-authorities-seize-170000-euros-in-agricultural-fraud-case ### 2026-09-16: Lomellina rice fraud: 14 companies seized for 10 million euro organic scam Italian authorities seized over 10 million euros from 14 companies in Pavia for a massive organic rice fraud involving prohibited pesticides and illegal EU agricultural subsidies. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-pesticide-proposal-sparks-environmental-alarm --- Cite as: Agricultural fraud investigations in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/agricultural-fraud-investigations-in-italy