Acquaintances and friends in difficulty were the chosen prey from the couple of Roman “tie-tie makers”, arrested for usury and extortion by the investigators of III Fidene-Serpentara District, pursuant to a custodial remand order.

Investigation launched after shooting

Their illicit business was brought to light by a report relating to a shooting occurred on June 25th inside a building of Val Melaina Street. On site, the police found five shells, one of which was unexploded.

On the same night, again in via Val Melaina, a the arson of a car, which was later registered to woman of the couple. Believing the two events to be connected, the officers launched an investigation into the woman and her husband, a 43 year old already known to the police for similar crimes.

The mechanism of usury: rates over 350%

The investigations have allowed us to discover a well-structured system of loans at usurious rates, XNUMX interest rates above 350%.

Husband and wife identified the victims among friends and acquaintances in financial difficulty, pretending saviors and offering them money. However, the “favor” soon turned into a nightmare:

• Amounts to be repaid with exorbitant interest.
• Death threats in case of delays in payments.
• Intimidation of family members of the debtors.
• Requests for payment in cash or by prepaid cards.

One of the victims, for a loan of 6.000 €, he had to return 30.000 and, under threat, was forced to guarantee another 15.000 euros in 10 monthly installments. Another victim, however, was threatened with losing her home if he had not paid the debt.

The arrests and the continuation of the investigations

Thanks to 'Cross-analysis of telephone records, investigators have reconstructed the network of extortion and threats orchestrated by the couple.

• The man is currently detained in Crotone prison.
• The wife is at the arrest.

The operation of State Police has dismantled a deep-rooted system of usury and has put an end to the terror experienced by the victims.

For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the investigative evidence described concerns the preliminary phase of the investigation and that Both defendants are to be considered innocent until a final sentence is reached.