An important operation by the Carabinieri of Trento has uncovered a large fuel card scam, with numerous victims also in the Lake Garda area. The investigation, named “Free Fuel,” led to the issuance of 27 precautionary measures against a criminal organization specialized in fuel card cloning and fuel theft.
The investigations were initiated after a report by the company Eni, which had detected an abnormal number of suspicious transactions on cards registered to companies. These cards were cloned and used to fraudulently refuel vehicles or to withdraw fuel for later resale. It is estimated that this illicit system generated monthly profits of around 60,000 euros.
The criminal organization responsible for the scam had collaborators not only in Italy but also abroad. Arrests were made in various locations as part of Operation “Free Fuel,” with charges ranging from transnational organized crime to fuel card theft and cloning.
The modus operandi was sophisticated: company cards were cloned and then used by criminals to refuel for free or to withdraw large quantities of fuel, which was later resold. This scheme allowed the fraudsters to accumulate substantial sums, estimating illicit earnings of around 60,000 euros per month.
Numerous victims have been recorded in the Lake Garda area, targeted by this well-organized criminal network.
Italian Version
