Two people are under investigation in
a probe into an alleged gang that targeted high-profile Italian
business owners to pay bogus ransoms for purportedly kidnapped
journalists in the Middle East using the AI-generated fake voice
of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to lend credence to their
scam, judicial sources in Milan said Thursday.
According to the State Attorney's Office in the Lombardy city,
the pair are foreign citizens.
The investigation is coordinated by State attorney Giovanni
Tarzia and Milan chief prosecutor Marcello Viola and carried out
by Carabinieri police.
Investigators were able to block a Dutch bank account where they
found nearly million euros paid to the scammers by Milan oilman
and ex Inter president Massimo Moratti, one of the victims.
On Monday, the Caprotti family, owners of the Esselunga
supermarket chain, joined the Aleotti family, owners of the
Minervini pharmaceuticals group, firearms manufacturing dynasty
Beretta, and Moratti in filing a criminal complaint against the
alleged gang that targeted them.
Morati was the only one of the four who actually paid out money.
Milan prosecutors said they were investigating the possible
crime of forming an organised-crime group.
Investigators believe other victims may have paid the gang.
The alleged criminal organization also reportedly contacted
fashion legend Giorgio Armani and Prada CEO Maurizio Bertelli,
among others.
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