An investigation conducted by the Carabinieri of Cirò Marina and the Economic and Financial Police Unit of the Financial Police of Crotone culminated with the arrest of a thirty-year-old Chinese citizen residing in Cirò Marina. The man is accused of extortion, usury and robbery against a fellow countryman who owns a restaurant.
The accusations
According to what has been reconstructed, the victim, in financial difficulty, would have requested a loan from the suspect, who would have applied a usurious interest rate of 176.4%, much higher than the limits established by the Bank of Italy. Furthermore, he allegedly made the victim sign a contract in Chinese. Failing to recover the money, the suspect allegedly threatened and physically attacked the victim, demanding daily payments.
The investigations
The investigations, conducted between June and October 2024, included: telephone interceptions and technical activities, analysis of video surveillance footage, shadowing, hearing of witnesses, searches and seizures.
The GIP of the Court of Crotone, based on the elements collected, issued a precautionary measure, accepting the request of the Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect was arrested and transferred to Crotone prison.