Two Probed Over Crosetto Fraud Case
Milan: Two people are under investigation in a probe into an alleged gang that targeted high-profile Italian business owners to pay bogus ransoms for purportedly kidnapped journalists in the Middle East using the AI-generated fake voice of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to lend credence to their scam, judicial sources in Milan said Thursday.
According to Ansa News Agency, the State Attorney’s Office in the Lombardy city has identified the two individuals as foreign citizens. The investigation, coordinated by State attorney Giovanni Tarzia and Milan chief prosecutor Marcello Viola, is being conducted by Carabinieri police.
Investigators successfully intercepted a Dutch bank account containing nearly a million euros, which was paid to the scammers by Milan oilman and former Inter president Massimo Moratti, one of the victims.
On Monday, the Caprotti family, owners of the Esselunga supermarket chain, filed a criminal complaint against the alleged gang, joining the Aleotti family of the Minervini pharmaceuticals group, the firearms manufacturing dynasty Beretta, and Moratti. Among these, Moratti was the only one who actually paid out money.
Milan prosecutors have stated they are examining the possible crime of forming an organized-crime group. Investigators also suspect that other victims may have fallen prey to the gang’s schemes.
The alleged criminal organization reportedly made contact with additional prominent figures, including fashion legend Giorgio Armani and Prada CEO Maurizio Bertelli, among others.