Naples, 2,100 investigated for Covid vacation bonus scam

by Andrea Laratta , published on 16/02/2024
Categories: Tourism / Disclaimer
As many as 2,100 people are under investigation in Naples for a state fraud: fake hotel guests who made deals with the establishment to monetize the vacation bonus that the government introduced during the Covid pandemic to jumpstart tourism.

Nearly 2,100 people are under investigation for a scam against the state through the illicit and fictitious use of the “vacation bonus” that during the years of the Covid pandemic was established by the government to help the tourism sector. The plethora of suspects consisted of fake vacationers who in agreement with a hotel in Naples pretended to go there to spend their vacations in order to monetize the voucher with cash giving the hotelier the opportunity to collect the bonus from the state.

What brought it all to light was greed: in fact, the Guardia di Finanza’s investigations were triggered by suspected business for a small 11-room hotel in an area not exactly popular. The hotelier collected the sums corresponding to the bonus for a countervalue equal to 10 times the hotel’s sold out in one day going to a total of 800 thousand euros. Each fake customer will now see the administrative penalty from the prefect that can reach up to three times the amount unduly obtained by the state. Each of them participated in the mass scam in exchange for a sum ranging from 100 to 300 euros. The bonuses introduced as part of the measures to support the tourism sector during the health emergency by Covid-19, consisted of a contribution of up to 500 euros intended for families with an Isee income of up to 40,000 euros, to be spent in one lump sum for stays in accommodations in Italy: hotels, campsites, tourist resorts, agritourisms and bed & breakfasts. The bonuses were also cashed in during times of the year when travel bans or restrictions between regions were in effect.

The Guardia di Finanza on the instructions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office seized from the hotelier a sum equal to the amount unduly obtained.

Naples, 2,100 investigated for Covid vacation bonus scam
Naples, 2,100 investigated for Covid vacation bonus scam


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