Milan public prosecutors
uncovered a billion-euro fraud scheme that may be funding
Islamic terrorists, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported
Wednesday.
Following complaints from a Milan accountant of suspicious
financial transactions, intelligence authorities cross-checked
accounts with documents seized in a 2010 Taliban raid,
uncovering a monumental money transfer organization.
Some 38 people with ties to Anglo-Pakistani and
French-Israel groups are suspects in the alleged fraud scheme,
which authorities said includes the illicit transfer of
value-added tax to accounts in Cyprus, Hong Kong and Dubai.
As well, funds were allegedly converted into luxury goods
such as diamonds and real estate for use in financing armed
groups.
Eleven suspects are being sought by authorities.
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