US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

[Andreuccio]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I was getting skeptical about the veracity of this story, as there seems to be absolutely no media coverage of this other than the asianews.it cite, but I did some digging and found the Italian Guardia di Finaza web pages and it seems they are indeed reporting it. I can't read Italian but it's clearly referencing the same story. Can anyone read Italian check if any of the pertinent facts contradict the asianews.it version? http://www.gdf.it/GdF__Informa/Notiz...518911049.html

It reads exactly as reported: two Japanese in their 50's stopped at the border of Italy and Switzerland, in Chiasso, with $135 billion in bonds hidden in a satchel. Possible fine up to 40%.

Funniest line: "al momento del controllo doganale, hanno sostenuto di non avere nulla da dichiarare."

"at the moment of customs control, they claimed to not have anything to declare."

[Sapiens]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

yes - but if they are real, then they probably came from one of 3 or 4 govts

wonder what the plan was to do with these; how they would have been utilized ? to what end?

and if they are real, who is the original owner? the US govt?

has anyone claimed these?

benny?

Talking about this with one of our finance lawyers he mentioned for me to take a look at the 14th Amendment... Ah, the things that lawyers dream about:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitut...ndmentxiv.html
Amendment XIV

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

[Mashuri]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I found photos of those two smugglers:





"One hundred beellion dollars!" (+34.5 billion...)

[makimanos]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Instead of an enormous covering the media are playing it down. It must be something very serious.

[TheServant]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

While pure conjecture, I would agree with you. They are not just playing it down, they are not covering it at all in the US and Europe (outside Italy). If I was not such a trusting person, it would seem that the collective media has either been kindly informed that this story is off limits, or they all know it is the proverbial black swan.

Also, in regards to the authenticity of the bonds, common sense would suggest they are real. In mean, they were not trying to pass a fake $20 to a kid behind the counter of Burger King. You gotta think there would be just a little bit of scrutiny when dealing with $150 billion, but what do I know.

If nothing else, the cover story that comes out ought to be interesting. Any early bets on how the "spin" is shaped?

[metalman]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

While pure conjecture, I would agree with you. They are not just playing it down, they are not covering it at all in the US and Europe (outside Italy). If I was not such a trusting person, it would seem that the collective media has either been kindly informed that this story is off limits, or they all know it is the proverbial black swan.

Also, in regards to the authenticity of the bonds, common sense would suggest they are real. In mean, they were not trying to pass a fake $20 to a kid behind the counter of Burger King. You gotta think there would be just a little bit of scrutiny when dealing with $150 billion, but what do I know.

If nothing else, the cover story that comes out ought to be interesting. Any early bets on how the "spin" is shaped?

guys... over here... a scam & not even a new one... fake bonds...

[TheServant]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Thanks for the heads up.

[dummass]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Why would anybody fake such a thing?

Who in the hell would buy them?

[pianodoctor]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Maybe the reality is something a bit more mundane. Something like this: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...7m10bonds.html

I hope so anyway. I'm bearish on the dollar but I'd hate to see some kind of chaotic crash. It's better if this is "just" an attempted scam.

[flintlock]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Could the reason for smuggling be tax related? Wanting to redeem them while in another country? Of course, who has $134 billion? Makes no sense.

Maybe it's the Illuminati.

[metalman]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Why would anybody fake such a thing?

Who in the hell would buy them?

market manipulation?

[Tybee Island]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I can't understand what the problem is? Just look at the quality of briefcase these "bonds" were in! Now you tell me, what kind of criminal carries around $134.5 Billion in bonds in a cheap briefcase like that one? Especially when it is so easy to get wonderful leather in Italy.

Case closed, they must be fakes, all in a day's work, just call me again when you need a super sleuth like myself.....Ciao.

[makimanos]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

On the contrary. Cheap briefcases doesn't catch your attention.
It is out of question that they are original.
The question is why Japanese citizens? Who are they? Any
government connections?

[pianodoctor]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

It reads exactly as reported: two Japanese in their 50's stopped at the border of Italy and Switzerland, in Chiasso, with $135 billion in bonds hidden in a satchel. Possible fine up to 40%.

Funniest line: "al momento del controllo doganale, hanno sostenuto di non avere nulla da dichiarare."

"at the moment of customs control, they claimed to not have anything to declare."

Thanks for verifying the translation.

[ken]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I had to challenge myself. Another quick (late?) n' dirty translation of the Italian article:


96 Million Euro of US Treasury Notes Confiscated At Chiasso
(Adnkronos)

June 4, Milano

249 US Federal Reserve bonds, worth a nominal value of 500 million dollars each, and 10 Kennedy bonds worth 1 billion dollars each, were hidden in a briefcase having a double bottom, for a total of 134 billion dollars, equivalent to 96 billion euro.

The confiscation took place at the Chiasso International Train station, between Switzerland and Italy, by the Territorial Operatives Section at Chiasso, in collaboration with the service men from the Financial Control Group at Chiasso Bridge, in the course of working to prevent illicit traffic of money.

The valuables were in the possession of two Japanese men in their 50's, from a train originating in Italy, who insisted that they had nothing to declare when they were taken aside at Chiasso train station.

However, a thorough check of their baggage revealed the US treasury bills, hidden in the bottom of a briefcase, in a closed compartment, separate from the one containing their personal belongings.

Besides the treasury bills, the two Japanese were transporting original and conspicuous bank documents.

The bonds and the accompanying documents, which were also confiscated, are under investigation to determine their authenticity and origin. If the treasury bonds are found to be authentic, under normal circumstances, the administrative sanctions applicable to the owners could reach 38 billion euro, equal to the sum of 40% of the amount above the duty-free limit of 10,000 euro.

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