Unveiling an International Citizenship Scandal: The Dismantling of an Italian Network and the Exploitation of Brazilian Immigrants
In a major bust, Italian authorities dismantled an international network involved in illegally granting Italian citizenship to individuals from Brazil. The operation was carried out by the State Police of Frosinone, located in the central region of Lazio. According to reports, the network used methods such as falsifying documents and charging large sums of money for their services.
The investigation revealed that an employee of the local Civil Registry and owner of an international intermediation agency played a key role 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 had been operating since 2017 and 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.
The dismantled scheme was linked to an international network operating in Brazil, Germany, and Italy, which facilitated 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 activities of this network raised significant concerns about the integrity of the Italian citizenship process and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking citizenship through fraudulent means.
