Extortion ring: Notebooks and phone records reveal details of operation
Notes and messages from the extortion ring members busted last week were made public on Tuesday.
The ring members documented the extorted amounts and the businesses involved in two notebooks to avoid administrative inspections and fines.
Payments ranged from 650 euros to 3,000 euros.
A total of 14 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including nine public officials. Authorities estimate that the ring earned 700,000 euros annually from their illegal activities.
Authorities have also obtained numerous phone conversations in which ring members discuss amounts and targeted inspections. In some of these conversations, they even speak with shop owners, demanding the agreed-upon sums.
