Finance police arrested eight people and seized 3 million euros' worth of assets on Monday following an investigation into an alleged social security scam in the area of Francavilla Fontana, about 30 minutes west of Brindisi.
Investigators said a criminal association, complete with promoters and organizers, scammed Italian social security agency INPS by obtaining retirement benefits for fake employees of shell companies in the form of farm cooperatives which were registered exclusively for the purpose of fraud.
In addition to the eight arrested Monday, tens of others are under investigation.
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