Commentary on Judgment Cass. pen., Section II, No. 29346 of 2023: Money Laundering and Computer Fraud

Judgment No. 29346 of 2023 by the Court of Cassation offers an important reflection on the issues of money laundering and computer fraud. In particular, the Court declared inadmissible the appeals filed by A.A. and B.B., accused of being accomplices in computer fraud through the use of their current accounts to receive illicitly earned money. This decision clarifies the boundary between the crime of money laundering and complicity in fraud, highlighting the need for a detailed analysis of the contested conduct.

Legal Qualification of the Fact

The Court emphasized that, to determine the correct legal qualification of the facts, it is essential to consider the modalities of the defendants' conduct. The appellants argued that their actions should be classified under Article 640-ter of the Italian Criminal Code, which deals with computer fraud. However, the Court clarified that the profit derived from the fraud had already been obtained by the perpetrators of the crime before the money was transferred to the defendants' current accounts. This aspect is crucial, as it highlights how the conduct of A.A. and B.B. occurred at a later stage than the commission of the predicate offense.

The conduct of someone who, without having participated in the predicate offense, makes their current account available to obstruct the identification of the illicit origin of money constitutes the crime of money laundering.

Implications of the Judgment

The decision of the Court of Cassation has several implications. Firstly, it confirms the importance of clearly defining the moment when a crime is perfected and the distinction between various illicit conducts. Secondly, it highlights how the mere availability of a current account to receive money of illicit origin can constitute the crime of money laundering, even in the absence of a direct link with the predicate offense.

• Money laundering is constituted when the identification of the illicit origin is obstructed.
• The profit of the crime must have already been obtained for money laundering to be constituted.
• The conduct of the individuals involved must be examined in the correct temporal context.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 29346 of 2023 represents a significant step in Italian jurisprudence on computer fraud and money laundering. It clarifies that criminal liability can also be attributed to those who do not actively participate in the fraud but contribute to the concealment of the profit through the availability of financial instruments. Therefore, it is essential for legal professionals and citizens to be aware of their responsibilities regarding the use of current accounts and the money flows they manage.