Andorran Police Extradite Italian Man from Italy over €75,000 Fraud Scheme

Andorran police completed the extradition of a 57-year-old Italian non-resident from Italy on Tuesday afternoon, transferring him straight to Comella prison to face charges of qualified fraud totaling €75,000.

The operation involved agents from Andorra's National Central Office of INTERPOL and the Technical Intervention Unit, in coordination with police, judicial, and diplomatic authorities in both countries. The suspect had been held in preventive detention in Italy since his arrest there last November, following an international arrest warrant issued by the Batllia court and circulated via INTERPOL.

The investigation began in 2022 after a complaint from a Spanish meat products distributor. The man, formerly the sole administrator of an Andorran company specializing in commercial intermediation, buying and selling, and importing and exporting food products, had not lived or worked in the Principality for several years. Authorities allege he exploited his past experience and contacts to pose as a middleman between the Spanish firm and French clients, arranging three fraudulent transactions worth about €75,000. He is accused of keeping the sale proceeds and then cutting off all communication with the distributor.

Andorra's Patrimonial Crimes Unit identified him as the primary suspect, prompting the Batllia warrant. Upon arrival, he was placed at the courts' disposal, where the Batllia will decide on precautionary measures and next steps in the coming days. The probe continues, with more details expected.