Lanciano, major operation against currency counterfeiting: five precautionary measures against an international counterfeiting network.

A large-scale operation against currency counterfeiting has resulted in the execution of five precautionary measures against five individuals believed, in various capacities, to be involved in the production and sale of counterfeit currency, including for foreign markets. The operation was conducted by the Carabinieri of the Anti-Counterfeiting Operations Unit of Naples, with the support of Europol personnel and the collaboration of the local police force during the execution phase. The measure was issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Court of Lanciano, at the request of the local Public Prosecutor's Office.

Two people under house arrest and two under house arrest

The Judicial Authority has ordered the house arrest of three individuals residing in the municipalities of Montenerodomo, in the province of Chieti, and Rome. Two other individuals, both residents of Ascoli Piceno, have been ordered to remain in their municipality of residence. According to the prosecution's charges and the current case file, the suspects are held responsible for participating in the same criminal scheme, through multiple enforcement actions, to produce and sell counterfeit currency, including through channels aimed at the international market.

The “Small Tower” investigation launched in December 2024

The precautionary measure stems from a judicial police investigation called "Small Tower," launched in December 2024 and coordinated by the Lanciano Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation was conducted by the Naples Anti-Counterfeiting Operations Unit using traditional investigative techniques and technologically advanced tools, with the aim of identifying the producers of counterfeit euro currency and those responsible for its distribution. The investigations allowed the reconstruction of the activities of a criminal group operating in the Lanciano area, with connections beyond national borders.

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Production of counterfeit euros and foreign currencies

During the investigation, which continued until July 2025, the Carabinieri reconstructed the alleged organization's operations, identifying individuals involved in the production of various counterfeit currencies. These included euro banknotes, as well as foreign currencies such as Tanzanian, Ugandan, and Kenyan shillings, Albanian lek, and African Financial Community francs. According to the investigations, the counterfeit currency was also sold abroad, reaching several European countries.

Telegram sales and cryptocurrency payments

Investigators identified an international commercial network through which the counterfeit currency was allegedly sold in France, Finland, Germany, Spain, and Poland. The transactions were allegedly organized through the Telegram messaging platform, with payments made in backdated cryptocurrencies. The currency was also sent via postal packages, a method that would have allowed the suspects to reach buyers outside Italy.

Two counterfeiting plants in the Chieti area dismantled

One of the investigation's key findings was the discovery and dismantling, in the municipality of Montenerodomo, of two alleged clandestine plants dedicated to the production of counterfeit currency. During house and office searches ordered by the Lanciano Public Prosecutor's Office, officers seized counterfeit banknotes, cell phones, equipment, and materials believed to be instrumental in the illicit production. The investigations also allowed them to reconstruct the international routes used to sell the counterfeit currency.

Two buyers were also arrested in Finland.

The investigation also identified several foreign buyers of the counterfeit currency. Specifically, thanks to international cooperation, the Finnish police arrested two individuals involved in the purchase of counterfeit banknotes and recovered the currency that had been sent to them by post. The Bank of Italy assigned eight different counterfeiting classes to the currency produced and marketed by the group.

The precautionary measures were confirmed by the Court of Appeal.

All the suspects appealed the order issued by the Lanciano Preliminary Investigations Judge to the L'Aquila Review Court. On July 23, 2026, the Court confirmed the provisional charges and precautionary measures adopted for all of them, acknowledging the risk of repetition of the crime. According to the judges' assessment, there is a danger that the suspects, based on their experience, could once again organize a clandestine printing press for the production of counterfeit currency.