Milan, 30 July (LaPresse) – Officers from the Palermo Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza, acting on the instructions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Palmi, have executed an order issued by the Court of Palmi – Preliminary Investigating Magistrate’s Office – ordering the seizure, throughout Italy, of a large quantity of electric scooters sold as pedal-assisted electric bicycles but which, in reality, do not comply with CE marking and are therefore unsafe for use on the roads and hazardous to consumers’ health. As part of the proceedings, a Palermo-based businessman and a company are under investigation for commercial fraud and forgery of public documents. The operation led to the seizure, from the warehouses of wholesalers and retailers located throughout the country, of thousands of vehicles imported from abroad that did not comply with the requirements laid down by European and national legislation. The investigations focused on electric scooters marketed as pedal-assisted bicycles which, despite their outward appearance, are often modified to allow them to be ridden without number plates or type-approval. The investigation is said to have uncovered significant shortcomings in the documentation certifying the alleged compliance with safety requirements of e-bikes imported from China. Since 2023, at least 6,885 vehicles have reportedly been imported, with a total value of around 5 million euros. Subsequent checks have reportedly uncovered a deceptive certification scheme based on technical files lacking the required documentation. Further investigations are also underway to ascertain any administrative breaches relating to unfair and misleading commercial practices. According to the Guardia di Finanza, the operation also responds to numerous reports concerning the uncontrolled use of illegal scooters, often ridden without number plates or insurance, posing risks to road safety. The operation is currently being carried out nationwide. The presumption of innocence remains in force until a final conviction is handed down.
Palermo: The Gdf seizes thousands of illegal scooters across Italy
Milan, 30 July (LaPresse) – Officers from the Palermo Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza, acting on the instructions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Palmi, have executed an order issued by the Court of Palmi – Preliminary Investigating Magistrate’s Office – ordering the seizure, throughout Italy, of a large quantity of electric scooters sold as pedal-assisted electric bicycles but which, in reality, do not comply with CE marking and are therefore unsafe for use on the roads and hazardous to consumers’ health. As part of the proceedings, a Palermo-based businessman and a company are under investigation for commercial fraud and forgery of public documents. The operation led to the seizure, from the warehouses of wholesalers and retailers located throughout the country, of thousands of vehicles imported from abroad that did not comply with the requirements laid down by European and national legislation. The investigations focused on electric scooters marketed as pedal-assisted bicycles which, despite their outward appearance, are often modified to allow them to be ridden without number plates or type-approval. The investigation is said to have uncovered significant shortcomings in the documentation certifying the alleged compliance with safety requirements of e-bikes imported from China. Since 2023, at least 6,885 vehicles have reportedly been imported, with a total value of around 5 million euros. Subsequent checks have reportedly uncovered a deceptive certification scheme based on technical files lacking the required documentation. Further investigations are also underway to ascertain any administrative breaches relating to unfair and misleading commercial practices. According to the Guardia di Finanza, the operation also responds to numerous reports concerning the uncontrolled use of illegal scooters, often ridden without number plates or insurance, posing risks to road safety. The operation is currently being carried out nationwide. The presumption of innocence remains in force until a final conviction is handed down.
