Giant Criminal Network in Europe of Counterfeit Money Traffickers

Law enforcement authorities in Italy and France conducted a joint operation Monday morning, April 8, against a large network of counterfeit money traffickers. In Naples and in several other places of Italy and France, agents of the anti-counterfeiting command executed an order on “precautionary measures against dozens of people” suspected of involvement in the sale of counterfeit euros in southern European countries. Among those arrested are 13 coordinators under investigation on suspicion of criminal association.

And while Italy only stated that “the Camorra clan, i.e. the Mazzarella family, is also involved in the alleged criminal activity,” French sources immediately made it clear that “we are working 360 degrees” and that “a link to Russia cannot be ruled out.” And that’s because recently, in February 2024, a center of counterfeiters was discovered in Dagestan, a republic within the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus, “producing rubles 95% corresponding to the original.”

It may be a mere coincidence, but on the day of the Italian anti-mafia operation, in which France was also involved, the popular French newspaper Le Figaro published a sudden article denouncing Italy, a country described as the “weak link” of the Western anti-Russian front.

In an article titled “Italy is Vulnerable to Russian Interference,” the French newspaper said that Rome faces a “hybrid threat from Moscow.” “Increasingly visible” operations, according to the Figaro newspaper, which cited cyberattacks on “critical energy infrastructures and institutional facilities,” as well as a “disinformation campaign” by the Kremlin. And here is the conclusion reached by Le Figaro: if Moscow is attacking Italy so strongly, it means that “the wonderful country is a very porous territory in the face of Russian interference,” the French newspaper emphasizes.

Simultaneous publications in other European countries, positioning themselves as “hard nuts to crack” in relation to Moscow, suggest a coordinated media operation aimed at destabilizing Italy’s political power. In Germany, the radio and television company ARD and the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung condemned the operation of the Russian intelligence services, which is “changing its espionage activities in Europe.” Russian intelligence services rely on “state-of-the-art technology” and “travel agents” to obtain valuable information.

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, “about 20 Russian spies accredited as diplomats” are operating in Germany. Between April 2022 and 2023, Germany expelled 70 Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage. To replace the agents expelled from Europe, Russia will “plant in the European continent its agents with false biographies posing as entrepreneurs.” The prosecution’s finger was pointed at Europe’s scapegoat: “At the same time,” ARD reports, “Russia is relying on countries with ‘friendly’ governments, such as Hungary and Serbia.”

According to German media, the south of the Old Continent is in the crosshairs of Russian 007 agents. From Bonn, where the Russian Consulate General is located, so-called Russian “travel agents” could “quickly” travel to France, Belgium, where both NATO and the EU are based.

Finally, in addition to Italy, another “weak link” of the European structure has been revealed – Austria. According to ARD, “in Austria, Russia can take advantage of the relatively lenient treatment that the Vienna government gives to Russians.” The reason being is that so far “only eight Russian spies have been expelled from Austria, while the total number of those accredited as diplomatic personnel is estimated at 100.”