Police smash 'ghost labourer' fraud

(ANSA) - Rossano, June 29 - Finance police in Calabria said Monday they have smashed a fraud racket in southern Italy that allegedly bilked 450,000 euros from the INPS social security agency by claiming benefits for 131 non-existent agricultural labourers.
    As many as 132 people were charged with involvement in the alleged racket which used false land-rent contracts to obtain unemployment and maternity benefits as well as family allowance cheques.
    In addition social security contributions worth 50,000 euros were not paid, according to the investigation.