Two Chinese nationals have been accused of taking money offmigrantswho want to jump queues outside animmigrationoffice inItaly. Detectives are investigating reports that an organised gang has been illegally managing people waiting to access the office based in a police station in Prato, near Florence. People were allegedly charged £872 to £1,307 (€1,000-€1,500) to jump ahead of others.
Officers searching the homes of the Chinese suspects, who are both aged 47, found immigration paperwork and £2,616 (€3,000). Authorities in Prato are probing allegations that people working for the pair stood in line before the office's opening hours to sell their spot to genuine migrants.
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Prato Prosecutor Luca Tescaroli described the alleged scam as "illicit intrusion" into the management of access to the immigration office.
Mr Tescaroli alleged that anyone who refused to allow people working for the gang to jump in and take their place would be threatened with violence.
Investigators said a man from Pakistan was punched as he waited in line by thugs on Monday (February 23).
Sources reported by media outlet,Info Migrants, also said two Egyptians queuing outside the office fled after they were attacked with a cane on January 4.
The alleged violence was targeted especially at people from North Africa and Pakistan who weren't willing to pay. Gang members would favour Chinese nationals and others who agreed to hand over cash to queue-jump.
Chiara La Porta from the Brothers of Italy party described the network as "shameful" and working at the expense of the most marginalised people.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
