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Fraud with agricultural funds in Italy: over €160 000 seized in Sicily

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Today in Sicily (Italy), the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Agri-food of Messina (Reparto Carabinieri per la Tutela Agroalimentare di Messina) seized over €160 000 in movable assets and real estate, in an investigation into agricultural funding fraud carried out by the Palermo office of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

The two suspects are alleged to have falsified statements and declared ownership and possession of lands in the province of Reggio Calabria, to obtain European Union agricultural funds. As the suspects were not the actual owners of the land, they committed aggravated fraud and managed to obtain over €160 000 in EU agricultural funds between 2013 and 2021.

Moreover, one of the suspects had previously received an anti-mafia prohibition from the Prefect of Reggio Calabria, which excludes him/her from obtaining public contributions, according to the Italian Anti-mafia Code.