With the assistance of Eurojust and Europol, authorities in Italy, Spain and Belgium have arrested nine members of a gang of thieves stealing high-end luxury cars. Well-targeted thefts of over one hundred high-value vehicles, worth an estimated total of at least EUR 3 million, took place in Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and other EU countries.
Eurojust supported a joint investigation team (JIT) of the Italian and Spanish authorities to dismantle the organised crime group (OCG).
The OCG mainly consisted of Moldovan suspects. They specifically targeted high-profile events, for example, knowing that many owners of luxury sports vehicles would be present. The gang members used sophisticated equipment to open the cars and neutralise the alarm and GPS systems. The suspects also managed to dismantle security transponders to prevent further tracking of the stolen vehicles.
After the thefts, fake ownership documents and license plates of professional quality were made before the sports cars were sold. Many of the stolen vehicles were shipped in containers to destinations outside the European Union via the port of Antwerp in Belgium. The OCG has been active since the beginning of 2024.
Investigations by Italian and Spanish authorities into individual car thefts rapidly revealed a similar pattern and modus operandi. Eurojust coordinated investigations and provided cross-border support starting in October 2024 and assisted with the setting up and funding of the JIT. The Agency also coordinated a joint action today, enabling collaboration with the Belgian authorities.
Europol coordinated the international phase of the investigations, bringing together investigators from all involved countries and hosting operational meetings at its headquarters. Europol also supported national authorities with analysis and intelligence sharing and will continue to provide on-the-spot support during follow-up actions.
During the action day, close to twenty places were searched and four vehicles were seized, as well as fake license plates from various countries. Furthermore, kits to clone car keys or devices to break into vehicles and equipment to jam and disturb electronic signals were seized and also over EUR 180 000 in cash and cryptocurrencies.
The operations were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:
- Italy: Public Prosecutor’ Office (PPO) Reggio Emilia; Carabinieri – Provincial Command Reggio Emilia (with the financial support of @ON project of the Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate (DIA) financed by the European Commission), supported by the Ministry of Interior’s Police International Cooperation Service (SCIP) – SI.RE.NE and INTERPOL Divisions
- Spain: Investigative Judge Court no.5 of Marbella; Regional PPO Marbella; Guardia Civil – UCO – specialised unit against organised crime on motor vehicles
- Belgium: Investigative Judge of Court of Antwerp; PPO Antwerp; Federal Judicial Police Antwerp
- Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT)
