The Milan Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate (DDA) reports a suspected hacking gang made over €3.1 million in illegal profits. They allegedly obtained confidential information on business, political, and entertainment figures.
Carmine Gallo, a former senior police officer, and Enrico Pazzali, President of Fondazione Fiera Milano, reportedly led the hacking gang operation.
The investigation centres around Equalize, a company accused of stealing data from police databases. The company reportedly made €2.3 million from these activities, according to prosecutor Francesco De Tommasi. Pazzali and Gallo are allegedly the main figures in the organisation. Gallo is under house arrest, while Pazzali is under investigation.
Possibility data sold abroad
Prosecutors are also examining whether the data was sold abroad. They aim to determine if it was accessed by foreign entities.
Gallo allegedly used Equalize to gather sensitive data on public figures, including Matteo Renzi. This information came to light in a wiretapped conversation. Hacker Nunzio Calamucci claimed the group found a way to avoid database alerts for high-profile subjects.
League proposes harsher penalties for hackers
Matteo Salvini’s League party announced plans to propose harsher penalties for hacking and privacy violations. They highlighted recent data privacy scandals involving high-profile individuals, including Premier Giorgia Meloni.
“The aim is to punish even more severely those who violate privacy to blackmail and influence,” stated the League.
