A successful combined operation between of Guardia di Finanza and investigators tasked by TRAP members has led to the seizure of 62.000 fake calendars, 124 printing machines and 16 people being charged with crimes of counterfeiting and commercial fraud including tax fraud of more than 240,000 Euros

Raids involved companies in provinces of Turin, Varese, Bologna and Rimini. Products using the trademarks of internationally renowned artists and athletes, including: U2, One Direction, Five Seconds of Summer, Frozen, Violetta and Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo players without permission were seized.

Using evidence gathered the Italian authorities will now proceed towards convictions that could result in fines or possible imprisonment for those involved.

watch video of the operation courtesy of Rimini Today here