(refiling to correct figure in slug)
A suspect in a huge new snooping case mainly involving the
Italian business world said he had 800,000 confidential data on
his hard disk, according to Milan anti-mafia prosecutors'
documents.
The arrested alleged ringleader, Nunzio Samuele Calamucci
allegedly had "at his disposal a hard disk containing eight
hundred thousand SDIs", i.e. information acquired from the
police force database, the documents said.
"Eight hundred thousand SDI, I have over here", he allegedly
said when intercepted last January speaking with former super
policeman Carmine Gallo, who was also arrested.
In another conversation in November 2023, Calamucci allegedly
had the concern of "putting aside", i.e. transferring data, of
"six, seven million USB sticks that I have".
He had a "huge amount of data to manage - the prosecutors write
- equal to at least 15 terabytes", said the documents of the
investigation by the Milan DDA anti-mafi and anti-terror
prosecutors.
Calamucci was wiretapped saying "here's how we screw the whole
of Italy" in the case.
One of the sons of Luxottica boss Leonardo Del Vecchio, Leonardo
Maria, has been placed under investigation in the Milanese mafia
probe into alleged wide-scale snooping by secretly compiling
dossiers on predominantly business people, some politicians
including former Milan mayor Letizia Moratti, and a few
entertainment figures including singer Alex Britti.
Banker Matteo Arpe is also among the 60 people probed in the
case, which on Friday led to the arrests of six people.
Thousands of pieces of information were taken from the national
strategic databases, according to the investigations of the DDA
anti-mafia investigative directorate of Milan and the DNA
national anti-mafia office.
Former 'super policeman' Gallo, who made his name with the Gucci
'Black Widow' case, was placed under house arrest in the probe.
Gallo was wiretapped saying he had made thousands of reports for
businessman and Milan fair foundation chair Enrico Pazzali.
Those under investigation are accused of complicity in the
illegal access of the alleged organization, composed of hackers,
IT consultants and members of the police force and also centered
on illegal wiretapping.
The investigation also involves former employees of an
investigation company, SKP of Milan.
National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor Giovanni Melillo, national
anti-mafia prosecutor said the case had revealed a "gigantic and
alarming" market of confidential data.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said hackers are increasingly
ahead of the police and laws must be aligned and brought up to
speed in order to better combat them.
Artificial Intelligence brings a greater risk of data
manipulation, Nordio added.
One of the alleged ringleaders of the gang was wiretapped saying
"here's how we screw the whole of Italy".
photo: Gallo
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