Italy: Investigation into €1 million embezzlement fraud involving social funds – EPPO seizes two properties

(Luxembourg, 30 October 2024) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) officials in Milan (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) has seized two properties in an investigation into the embezzlement of €1 million in EU and national funds, involving a vocational training institute.

The focus of the investigation is funding that a vocational training institute received to organise trainings and professional refresher courses, supposed to be free of charge for the participants. While the courses have taken place, the evidence revealed that the suspects had asked the participants to pay a fee. Meanwhile, the suspects allegedly used the EU funds to purchase two properties in Magenta (Italy). To recover the embezzled EU funds, the Italian Financial Police has seized the properties.

The project was co-financed under the European Social Fund (ESF), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the Cohesion Fund for the Region of Lombardia.

All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment fraud against the financial interests of the EU.

Source : https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/italy-investigation-eu1-million-embezzlement-fraud-involving-social-funds-eppo-seizes