Electric scooters sold as e-bikes: the scam uncovered

A coordinated operation of the Guardia di Finanza led to the seizure of thousands of electric scooters imported from China and marketed in Italy as if they were standard pedal-assisted bicycles. The order, issued by the investigating judge of Palmi, in the province of Reggio Calabria, at the request of the Calabrian prosecutor's office, was executed by the financial police of the Palermo provincial command with the collaboration of the Calabrian Guardia di Finanza. Campania, Puglia, Lombardy, Sardinia, and Tuscany. The seized vehicles did not comply with European and Italian safety standards, posing concrete risks to those who purchased and used them on the road.

A system of false certifications that lasted for years

At the centre of the investigation are a Palermo businessman and a company, investigated for commercial fraud and forgery of public documentsAccording to investigators, the documentation submitted to customs authorities to certify the vehicles' alleged compliance with safety requirements was falsified. On that basis, from 2023 to today, at least 1,000 vehicles were cleared through customs and released for free circulation. 6.885 vehicles, whose overall market value has been estimated at approximately 5 million euroThe customs offices, misled by the documentation, issued the release orders without being able to detect the irregularity. This situation emerged thanks to investigations carried out with the support of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Made in Italy, and trade associations, which allowed them to dismantle the deceptive certification system and identify the warehouses of wholesalers and retailers involved in the distribution.

E-bikes and Epacs: what the law requires to be safe

To understand why these vehicles were dangerous, we must start from the regulatory definition. pedal assisted bicycles, also known as e-bikes or Epac (Electric Pedal Assist Cycle), are vehicles equipped with an auxiliary electric motor with a maximum power of 250 watts, the power supply of which is interrupted or progressively reduced when the cyclist stops pedalling and in any case before the speed reaches the 25 kilometers per hourIf these parameters are met, the vehicle falls into the category of bicycle and can be driven without a license, insurance, or registration. Beyond these limits, however, the vehicle is no longer a bicycle but a moped, and as such must comply with completely different rules. The seized vehicles exceeded the permitted limits, but presented themselves as simple e-bikes: a difference that can translate into fines, seizure of the vehicle, liability in the event of an accident, and, above all, a concrete risk to the safety of the driver and other road users.

Production is regulated by the European Machinery Directive

E-bikes, investigators explain, are subject to European “Machinery” Directive, which regulates their production to ensure compliance, safety, and health protection requirements. The vehicles imported from China and then resold as pedal-assisted vehicles did not meet these requirements, which is why they were deemed unsafe both for road traffic and for consumer health. Furthermore, the investigation does not stop at the criminal aspect: possible legal action is also being considered. violations of the Consumer Code, particularly for unfair or deceptive commercial practices by retailers, including misleading publications on websites and social media. A detailed report will be assessed by the competent authorities, in collaboration with the special Antitrust and Goods and Services units of the Guardia di Finanza. Consumers are advised to be wary of overly convenient offers and always verify that the vehicle purchased complies with legal requirements, requesting clear documentation regarding engine power and maximum speed. This caution also applies to other recently reported scams, such as the fake CO2 technicians in Pozzuoli , SMS scam in the name of PosteInfo, both of which have been told on our pages in recent months.