Major police operation in 23 provinces against illegal immigration and false documents in the Immigration Flows Decree.

Rome, 11 July 2025 – A large-scale operation to combat illegal immigration, coordinated by the Central Operations Service (SCO) of the State Police, which involved 23 Italian provincesThe operation, conducted with a “high impact” approach, aimed at dismantling a widespread network of irregularities linked to work entry applications provided for by the Flows Decree, with particular attention to documentary falsity.

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The cities involved and the scope of the operation

The activities involved the Mobile Teams of Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Caltanissetta, Caserta, Foggia, Massa Carrara, Matera, Milano, Monza Brianza, Piacenza, Prato, Ravenna, Reggio Calabria, Reggio Emilia, Rieti, Savona, Taranto, Terni, Turin, Treviso, Vercelli and Vibo Valentia, with the support of the Crime Prevention Departments and Immigration Offices of the police headquarters involved.

The action was preceded by a thorough investigative phase, during which numerous anomalies were found, including the indication of fictitious domiciles o inexistent, often repeatedly used to host incoming foreign workers, a key element for obtaining work authorization (nulla osta).

How the Flow Decree works (and how it is circumvented)

Il Flows Decree regulates the legal entry of non-EU workers into Italy, according to annual quotas set by the Government. Employers must submit an application to the One-Stop Shop for Immigration attaching documents such as the contract, residence, and proof of the unavailability of Italian labor.

The investigations have highlighted how criminal organizations have exploited these procedures to obtain illicit profits. In exchange for sums between 1.000 and 5.000 euro, requests were submitted with falsified documents, invented contracts and fraudulent intermediations.

The numbers of the operation

Here is the balance of the operation:

• 167 businesses and homes inspected, with irregularities ascertained in 100 cases;
• 1.418 people identified, Of which 1.317 foreigners;
• 135 foreigners under review for suspected irregularity of the residence permit;
• 65 Italians e 27 foreigners (employers) referred to the judicial authority for facilitation of illegal immigration, false documents e person replacement;
• 10 arrests: among which
  • 1 Italian wanted for criminal association;
  • 1 foreigner wanted internationally for murder;
  • 2 foreigners for drug dealing;
  • 1 people rapina;
  • 2 people injuries and resistance to a public official;
  • 1 people driving under the influence of alcohol;
  • 1 people violation of the re-entry ban;
  • 1 with cumulation of concurrent penalties.

It is estimated that the illicit proceeds generated exceed 500.000 €, thanks to an average of 3.000 euros for fraudulent practice.

The most affected sectors and the methods

The most exposed sectors are:

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Foodservice sectors

It is precisely in these areas that a gray network of intermediaries, among which CAF compliant e freelancers, who submit applications on behalf of unsuspecting companies, effectively stealing their identities.

Some of the applications were completed without the employer's consent, thus constituting crimes of identity theft e document falsification.

Links to Organized Crime

They are currently in progress further investigation into contacts between the investigated subjects and organised crime, both Italian and international. Particular attention is paid to Balkan route, used for migrant trafficking to Italy.

A national strategy: the “Squadra Mobile” project

The initiative is part of the broader plan "Flying Squad”, launched by the SCO in 2023 to counter various criminal phenomena, including:

• Illegal immigration
• Labor exploitation
• Prostitution
• Vehicle theft
• Illegal game
• Youth deviance