The Hague, 14 December 2023
Eurojust has assisted the German and Italian authorities in a coordinated action against large-scale money laundering through the fake long-term rental of mainly luxury cars. Seven suspects were arrested across the two countries for using a car hire agency to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, extortion and illegal betting for other criminals. The enterprise has been seized in addition to a real estate complex and nearly one hundred mainly luxury vehicles.
The criminal network primarily used a German-registered car rental agency, which rented out over 150 vehicles for periods of three to four years to customers in Italy. Via fake long-term rental contracts, German-registered luxury cars were delivered to the Italian clients, who paid for their monthly instalments with the proceedings of criminal activities. The arrested suspects are linked to the camorra mafia-type criminal organisation in Italy.
Both the judiciary in Germany and Italy started investigations into the case in 2019, with Eurojust enabling close cooperation between the authorities involved in the same year. This led to the setting up of a joint investigation team (JIT) in 2020, with the financial and organisational support of Eurojust. Six coordination meetings were also held to prepare for the action day this week.
Furthermore, the Agency assisted with the execution of European Arrest Warrants and freezing certificates. In addition to the arrests and the seizing of the vehicles and car hire agency, 14 German bank accounts totalling EUR 142 000 were frozen. EUR 25 000 in cash has also been seized, together with jewellery and watches. One Italian bank account has been seized, as well.
The operations were carried out at the request of:
- Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Cologne, with the support of the Customs Investigation Office Stuttgart, Police Headquarters Cologne and Tax Investigation Office Cologne
- Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Cagliari and Naples, with the support of Guardia di Finanza Commands of Cagliari and Naples
