EPPO strikes a major blow against a scheme that allegedly siphoned €40m in EU subsidies via fake training courses

At EPPO’s request, Italian authorities carried out precautionary measures against three entrepreneurs suspected of defrauding the “Fondo Nuove Competenze” by organising fictitious training courses for about 1,500 workers from 32 firms — diverting roughly €40 million in EU funds. The investigation also uncovered that some of the misappropriated gains were invested in real estate (approximately €20 million), while additional searches target several other individuals and companies allegedly involved in the fraudulent scheme.