Italian extortion racket
Discussion
My piss is boiling.
Girlfriend received a letter from Italian police in 2003 accusing of 'Criminal insult and duress, criminal insult against absent' on a date in 2003.
She wrote back saying that she was not in Italy on that date, together with a letter from her employer proving that she was not in Italy on that date and enquiring as to the nature of the allegations.
She then received a letter from where the Italian police had changed the date to a date when she was in the country. She wrote back requesting more information and telling them she could not currently travel to the country as her passport was with the UK home office as she was becoming a UK resident.
3 years later we receive a letter saying she has been found guilt following a hearing in June (she was not informed of any such hearing) and there is no right of appeal and should pay 300 EUR plus 1000 EUR damages. If she doesn't pay then there will pay damages.
Went to see an Italian lawyer and have been told yes this is a common extortion racket in Italy and it will be cheaper to pay up. Isn't it great being in Europe!!!!
Girlfriend received a letter from Italian police in 2003 accusing of 'Criminal insult and duress, criminal insult against absent' on a date in 2003.
She wrote back saying that she was not in Italy on that date, together with a letter from her employer proving that she was not in Italy on that date and enquiring as to the nature of the allegations.
She then received a letter from where the Italian police had changed the date to a date when she was in the country. She wrote back requesting more information and telling them she could not currently travel to the country as her passport was with the UK home office as she was becoming a UK resident.
3 years later we receive a letter saying she has been found guilt following a hearing in June (she was not informed of any such hearing) and there is no right of appeal and should pay 300 EUR plus 1000 EUR damages. If she doesn't pay then there will pay damages.
Went to see an Italian lawyer and have been told yes this is a common extortion racket in Italy and it will be cheaper to pay up. Isn't it great being in Europe!!!!
wildoliver said:
Lol ignore it unless she is an Italian citizen. I doubt it would even show up if she gets stopped for speeding over there, they are hardly the most efficient Police force, one of the many reasons I love the place.
Unfortunately, she is an Italian citizen by marriage to her ex-husband, but resident in UK. We never go to Italy, so I'm wondering whether to ignore it, but what if they instruct someone in the UK to try and come and get cash of her via UK legal system.I remember the Daily Mail complaining about the potential for corrupt courts in Southern European courts to make judgements against people, which could affect people in the UK. It seems the time might be now.
Indeed. smithsi said:
wildoliver said:
Lol ignore it unless she is an Italian citizen. I doubt it would even show up if she gets stopped for speeding over there, they are hardly the most efficient Police force, one of the many reasons I love the place.
Unfortunately, she is an Italian citizen by marriage to her ex-husband, but resident in UK. We never go to Italy, so I'm wondering whether to ignore it, but what if they instruct someone in the UK to try and come and get cash of her via UK legal system.I remember the Daily Mail complaining about the potential for corrupt courts in Southern European courts to make judgements against people, which could affect people in the UK. It seems the time might be now.
prand said:
What I'd like to know is what 'Criminal insult and duress, criminal insult against absent' is actually referring to!
Its when you swear at somone who isnt there, under duress. I think the BBC have a case at the moment for a certain tall hairy fella and a shorter lad whos wife has large boobs!Thats all made up, I dont know.
zippy500 said:
smithsi said:
Went to see an Italian lawyer and have been told yes this is a common extortion racket in Italy and it will be cheaper to pay up. Isn't it great being in Europe!!!!
I'm puzzled with this comment, why would he advise to pay off a scam?Or is he in on it too, per chance
Notary who she contacted was unrelated so no chance he is in on the racket, his fee would have amounted to more than the fine. Thing is if she does pay it, who is to say they do not come back and accuse of the same crime or similar on a different date.
odyssey2200 said:
does the European Human rights act saythat you can't be charged and tried without being able to defend yourself??
Will be contacting MP to query this as it would appear to be going against European law, although they did appoint someone as her defender, but as she was never contacted it's arguable what defence they could have put up.PS I think this may be an attempt by the family of her ex-husband to prevent her from having an Italian passort.
Edited by smithsi on Thursday 27th November 14:00
Is this northern or southern Italy? I ask because my boss absolutely will not deal with any company in southern Italy, as mafia/gang involvement is rife in many companies, including the legal profession. He said that he bases this on having his fingers burned more than a few times with dodgy companies.
I thought he was joking, but talking to other people, they say more or less the same - they even say look carefully for the address when shopping online on Italian sites, Northern Italy OK - Southern Italy - avoid!
I thought he was joking, but talking to other people, they say more or less the same - they even say look carefully for the address when shopping online on Italian sites, Northern Italy OK - Southern Italy - avoid!
chris watton said:
Is this northern or southern Italy? I ask because my boss absolutely will not deal with any company in southern Italy, as mafia/gang involvement is rife in many companies, including the legal profession. He said that he bases this on having his fingers burned more than a few times with dodgy companies.
I thought he was joking, but talking to other people, they say more or less the same - they even say look carefully for the address when shopping online on Italian sites, Northern Italy OK - Southern Italy - avoid!
Cesena not far from Rimini, so in the middle.I thought he was joking, but talking to other people, they say more or less the same - they even say look carefully for the address when shopping online on Italian sites, Northern Italy OK - Southern Italy - avoid!
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