An international network that illegally obtained Italian citizenship for individuals from Brazil was dismantled by Italian police authorities on Monday. The operation, which had been in operation since 2017, was discovered by the State Police of Frosinone and reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation revealed that an employee of the local Civil Registry and owner of an international intermediation agency was involved in facilitating the illegal stay of numerous Brazilian citizens in Italy. The individual is accused of multiple crimes related to violating the law granting Italian citizenship, falsifying public documents, and abuse of power. The network assisted 179 foreign citizens in obtaining Italian citizenship through fraudulent means.
The illicit operation was described as a sophisticated system that bypassed mandatory checks and certifications, enabling beneficiaries to obtain Italian citizenship quickly for a hefty fee. Authorities estimate that the organization profited over 700 thousand euros in just three years. Linked to an international network operating in Brazil, Germany, and Italy, the dismantled scheme benefited from facilitating the illegal stay of foreign nationals in Italy.
The police operation was initiated based on a tip from the Italian embassy in the United Kingdom, leading to a thorough investigation involving surveillance, witness testimonies, and document analysis. The network’s activities raised significant concerns about the integrity of the Italian citizenship process and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking citizenship through fraudulent means.