Following similar actions against other multinational companies in the logistics and express transport sector, FedEx has now come under scrutiny by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office in an inquiry into the unlawful provision of labour, which is also linked to tax fraud. In a statement issued on the morning of 29 January 2025, the Milanese Prosecutor's Office announced that the Italian Financial Police had seized more than €46 million from the US multinational as an urgent preventive measure. While some individuals are reportedly under investigation, their exact number remains undisclosed.
The Prosecutor's Office explained that "the investigative hypotheses concern a complex tax fraud scheme stemming from the final beneficiary’s use of an illicit mechanism involving invoices for legally non-existent transactions. These were linked to the execution of fictitious service contracts for the supply of labour, in violation of sector regulations, leading to the issuance and subsequent use of false documents."
Investigators have reconstructed the labour supply chain, believing that the relationships between FedEx and the workers were concealed by intermediary companies, which in turn relied on cooperatives described as 'reservoir companies.' These cooperatives are alleged to have systematically failed to pay VAT as well as social security and welfare contributions. "For both the individuals and legal entities involved, notifications of legal proceedings are currently underway, including regarding the administrative liability of entities in relation to criminal offences committed by company executives for the benefit of the corporation."
On January 30, Fedex issued this statement: "FedEx conducts its business with the highest ethical and compliance standards. We are cooperating with the relevant authorities and providing all information requested as part of the investigation. This situation has no impact on our services. Italy continues to be a key market for FedEx, with significant investments in our network in recent years."
