Italy: EPPO seizes €160 000 in investigation into agricultural funding fraud

(Luxembourg, 2 October 2023) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Messina have executed a seizure order against a farm suspected of agricultural funding fraud, with an estimated damage of €160 000.

The suspect under investigation is an agricultural company located in the municipality of Tortorici (province of Messina). According to the evidence, the company declared that it was in possession of agricultural land parcels, allegedly resorting to false lease contracts – when the land in fact belonged to third parties, who were unaware of the fraud. In some cases, the plots were public property.

At the request of the EPPO, the judge for preliminary investigations in Messina ordered the preventive seizure of assets for the sums unduly received.

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

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.