Italy speaks a mind-blowing tale of fraud. The scammers who created a non-existent country defrauded more than 700 people. A retired general, doctor and lawyers are among the members of the gang who made a profit of 400 thousand Euros in total. The incident, in which the retired general introduced himself as the prince of the country, came to light as a result of a denunciation.
400 THOUSAND EURO HIGHLIGHT
The gang that defrauded hundreds of people for 400 thousand Euros by selling the passport of a fake state in Italy was busted.
In the operation carried out yesterday in the southern city of Catanzaro, 12 people were detained on suspicion of being members of a fraud gang. In the operation called “non-existent island”, 30 people were also investigated.
THERE IS A RETIRED GENERAL BETWEEN THEM
The suspects, including a retired general, doctor and lawyers, are accused of selling citizenship of a non-existent country.
It is stated that the gang promised tax relief, diplomatic protection and exemption from the Covid vaccine to those who received the passport of the fake country called “San Giorgio Theocratic Antarctic State”.
NOBLE CLASS 1000 EURO
According to media reports, the gang was selling the “ordinary” citizenship of the fake state for 200 Euros, while taking 1000 Euros from those who wanted to be included in the “noble class”. It was determined that more than 700 people were defrauded in this way, in total 400 thousand euros.
The unusual scam was discovered in April 2021 as a result of calls made on another tip.
The security forces, who went to the scene, found diplomatic documents prepared in the name of “Theocratic Antarctic State of San Giorgio” after a report of drug dealing in a building in Catanzaro.
In the investigations initiated upon this, many documents, local representative cards, stamps and seals printed on behalf of the fake state were seized. It was determined that a website was opened for the fake state.
INTRODUCED AS THE PRINCE OF THE COUNTRY
A number of charges were brought against gang members, including fraud, fabrication of false documents and money laundering. The ringleader of the gang is suspected of being a former financial police official.
It is stated that the retired general introduced himself as the prince of the fake country.
Among those detained is a former doctor who opposes Covid vaccines and was dismissed after a patient he tried to treat with alternative medicine died.
The operation against the gang selling fake nationality was featured in the Italian press with expressions such as “absurd fraud”, “incredible fraud”, “the ranks who wanted to evade taxes were defrauded”.