A Romanian has been sentenced to six months in prison for defrauding the toll system of highways in Italy.

A 32-year-old Romanian man was sentenced to six months in prison for defrauding the toll system of highways in Italy. Between September 2021 and April 2022, he drove for eight months without paying any tolls, using an ingenious scheme.

The man drove a BMW 530d, registered in his mother's name, and slipped through the Telepass lanes, passing without paying, by sticking to the cars in front. Authorities reconstructed his route, identifying over twenty crossings through toll gates in various Italian cities.

Following an investigation coordinated by the prosecutor's office in Apulia, the Romanian was caught red-handed by the control systems monitoring the unpaid crossings. In addition to prison, he will have to pay 919 euros, plus interest, representing the unpaid road tolls.