Fuel, fraud and prices under the microscope: a surge in irregularities uncovered by the Guardia di Finanza

Combating fraud involving energy products and tax evasion in relation to excise duties. Monitoring compliance with transparency requirements regarding prices charged at the pump. During the months when motorists (and others) have had to contend with soaring prices at petrol stations, the Guardia di Finanza has further stepped up its checks. And the figures released by the Corps bear this out: over the last five months, there have been 4,800 operations, 20,000 tonnes of energy products seized, and 265 people reported to the authorities.

Partly thanks to the collaboration with Mr Prezzi (the Price Monitoring Authority at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy) the Guardia di Finanza has stepped up its monitoring activities in the fuel sector, with the aim of ensuring market transparency, protecting consumers and legitimate businesses, and combating any illegal practices capable of distorting competition and affecting the proper formation of prices. The Corps’ activities were also carried out on the basis of guidance and reports from its specialist units.

The problem of fraud continues. In this context, the Guardia di Finanza has focused on targeted checks aimed at uncovering fuel evading taxation, products illegally released for consumption, the misuse of subsidised fuel, and the sale of products that do not comply with the required standards. During 2026 (from 1 March to 31 July 2026), units of the Corps carried out 1,371 operations relating to excise duties on energy products, referring 265 individuals to the judicial authorities, seizing over 20 million kilograms of energy products and identifying fraudulent consumption totalling over 6.5 million kilograms.

Among the most significant activities are those aimed at combating so-called ‘designer fuels’, i.e. petroleum products fraudulently labelled with different names to evade tax obligations, the identification of clandestine storage facilities and unauthorised petrol stations, as well as the uncovering of organised schemes aimed at the illegal sale of fuels intended for subsidised uses. The Guardia di Finanza’s operations continue throughout the entire energy supply chain via an integrated system of economic and financial controls, designed to ensure the proper functioning of the market, protect operators who comply with the rules, and guarantee transparency and legality for the public.

With regard to transparency, between 1 March and 31 July 2026, 3,428 inspections were carried out on roadside petrol stations, resulting in 2,279 offences being recorded against 937 operators. In particular, irregularities were identified relating to the failure to display prices and discrepancies between the prices quoted and those actually charged.