Retiree arrested at Swiss border for hiding $10 million in traveler's checks under car seat

He was subjected to a routine road check by the Guardia di Finanza and the customs agency (illustration). MAXPPP – Maurizio Maule

Italian customs officers arrested a pensioner who was carrying 20 books of 50 traveler's checks in his vehicle and in his luggage.

A 64-year-old Italian pensioner was arrested by customs officers in Ponte Chiasso while returning from Switzerland. He was carrying $10 million in traveler's checks in his vehicle and in his luggage.

According to the Corriere della Serra, the man, originally from the province of Bergamo , was driving his van alone when he was subjected to a routine road check by the Guardia di Finanza and the customs agency.

His vehicle searched

During questioning, the officers asked him if he was carrying a large sum of money or any goods to declare, to which the retiree replied no. The officers decided to search the vehicle anyway. They discovered 20 books of 50 traveler's checks, each worth $10,000, carefully hidden under the car seat and in the driver's luggage.

They were immediately seized by the authorities. The pensioner was unable to provide an explanation as to the origin of these checks. Although he was released after the incident, he is now suspected of receiving stolen goods. He was fined for violating Italian tax regulations, which require that any amount carried exceeding €10,000 must be declared. The investigation is continuing to determine the origin of the money and possible criminal implications.