Criminal organizations are expanding their influence in the real economy and finance, with an 85% increase in money laundering operations in 2023. Reports of suspicious transactions connected to mafia activity have risen from 28,688 in 2022 to over 53,000 in 2023, primarily affecting major Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples.
The cities most affected by mafia money laundering
The capitals of Lazio, Lombardy, and Campania are among the most impacted areas. Rome accounts for 10% of the national total, with over 5,400 suspicious operations, followed by Milan and Naples, which account for 9.8% and 9.7% of the reports, respectively. In Reggio Calabria, Caserta, and Naples, the percentage of mafia-related alerts exceeds 50%, indicating a deeply rooted problem.
The challenge of online money laundering
The issue of money laundering isn’t limited to physical operations: in 2023, over 4,900 suspicious online transactions were recorded, representing 9.3% of the total. This highlights how the mafia is also exploiting digital channels to move dirty money.
A joint action against organized crime
According to Unimpresa president Giovanna Ferrara, a collaborative effort between the government, judiciary, law enforcement, and financial institutions is crucial to effectively combat the mafia. Investigations are becoming increasingly complex, but it’s essential to not give up in the face of these challenges.
Reader invitation:
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