An ex-employee of a bank branch in Bisceglie, Italy, was investigated for unauthorized access to computer systems and attempted procurement of information concerning the security of the State. The former employee was fired in August for spying on the bank accounts of 3572 clients, including the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Police officers from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bari searched the ex-employee’s home and seized smartphones, tablets, hard drives, and other computer devices for forensic analysis. The accounts of thousands of individuals, including military personnel, VIPs, and politicians such as the premier’s sister Arianna, ministers Santanchè and Crosetto, Senate President Ignazio La Russa, and DNA prosecutor Giovanni Melillo, were monitored by the ex-employee.
Premier Giorgia Meloni reacted to the news by posting on social media a photo with her sister Arianna and the headline “Shocking investigation in Bari: Giorgia and Arianna Meloni, Crosetto and La Russa’s accounts spied on.” The investigation is ongoing as prosecutors are trying to understand the motive behind these illegal accesses, but currently, this question remains unanswered. The number of unauthorized accesses was significant and different from a previous case in Perugia, where the focus was on suspicious financial transactions or judicial investigation data. In this case, the access involved highly private and sensitive information such as bank account movements.
The unauthorized accesses occurred between February 21, 2022, and April 24, 2024, involving over 3,500 clients from 679 branches of Intesa Sanpaolo bank across Italy. Apart from government officials, the accounts of Puglia and Veneto governors, Michele Emiliano and Luca Zaia, the Trani Public Prosecutor Renato Nitti, and law enforcement officers were also violated. The investigation was initiated by the bank’s security team, which detected irregularities. The judiciary and the Data Protection Authority will investigate the potential implications of these actions, as the bank has filed a complaint with the privacy watchdog.
The investigation into the unauthorized access to bank accounts has raised concerns about the breach of privacy and security. It is essential to determine the extent of the accessed information and whether it was used for any unlawful purposes. The involvement of high-profile individuals such as politicians and law enforcement officials adds another layer of complexity to the case. The investigation’s outcome will shed light on the possible consequences of the ex-employee’s actions and the measures needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, questions about accountability and cybersecurity measures within financial institutions arise. The importance of ensuring the protection of individuals’ sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access to financial information is highlighted by this case. The collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Data Protection Authority is crucial in addressing such breaches and safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights. Ultimately, the case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilant oversight and robust security protocols in the digital age to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information from malicious actors.
