A highly specialised organised crime network responsible for the theft of more than 100 luxury hybrid cars has been dismantled in an international operation led by the Italian Carabinieri with support from Europol and Eurojust. The estimated value of all stolen cars is of at least EUR 3 million.
The Russian-speaking criminal network, composed mainly of Moldovan nationals, targeted high-end hybrid vehicles across northern Italy and Spain’s Marbella region. The stolen cars and their components (bodywork, battery packs, mechanical parts) were shipped through the European port of Antwerp to international illegal markets.
Action day
The action day on 7 October 2025 resulted in 9 arrests in the regions of Reggio Emilia and Lombardy in Italy. In addition, EUR 35 000 in cash and EUR 150 000 in cryptocurrencies were also seized.
Around 100 officers took part in the coordinated action, supported by Spanish Guardia Civil officers deployed to Belgium and Italy, and Italian Carabinieri teams sent to Spain and Belgium. Crypto-experts from Belgium, Italy and Spain joined the searches to secure and recover illicit digital assets.
A coordination centre was set up at Eurojust, while Europol deployed experts and a mobile office to Italy and Belgium.
Sophisticated modus operandi
The criminals operated with military-style precision. Investigators uncovered:
- Dedicated teams for car thefts, storage and counterfeiting
- Use of GPS trackers to monitor targeted vehicles
- Electronic tools to bypass security systems
- Alteration of VINs and licence plates from decommissioned cars to disguise stolen vehicles
- Links with shipping companies and criminal associates to move cars via Antwerp
The investigation also exposed a complex payment system involving multiple crypto platforms and wallets. Transfers worth around EUR 1 million in cryptocurrency were identified.
European coordination
Europol coordinated the international phase of the investigation, bringing together investigators from all involved countries and hosting operational meetings at its headquarters. Europol also supported national authorities with analysis and intelligence sharing, and will continue to provide on-the-spot support during follow-up actions.
Eurojust supported a joint investigation team of the Italian and Spanish authorities set up in 2024 to dismantle the organised crime network.
The following authorities took part in the investigation:
- Belgium: Federal Judicial Police of Antwerp (Federale Gerechtelijke Politie Antwerpen)
- Italy: Carabinieri of Reggio Emilia (Carabinieri di Reggio Emilia)
- Spain: Guardia Civil
The investigation has been supported by the @ON Network funded by the EU Commission, led by the Italian Antimafia Investigation Directorate (DIA).
