100,000 counterfeit items with the Jubilee logo seized in Rome

Four people were reported on Wednesday, October 9, in Rome, accused of selling counterfeit products containing potentially harmful substances. The four were touting souvenirs and counterfeit objects with the logos of the Holy Year and the Holy See in Via della Conciliazione. The Provincial Command of Rome’s finance police identified the alleged counterfeiters during targeted checks of souvenir shops in the historic center of the city, and seized over 100,000 objects, including rosaries, bracelets and medals with the registered trademark of the Jubilee 2025 and the ‘Papal Tiara’.

The work of the Guardia di Finanza allowed the authorities to trace the importer of the goods, who is also charged with breaking European rules on product safety, given the potential harmfulness of the metals used to make the objects.

Next year over 32 million pilgrims from all over the world are expected in Rome. This is on top of the usual influx of tourists. Their safety, and dignified welcome, involves protecting them from scams such as counterfeit goods. We thank the Police Forces and, in particular, the Guardia di Finanza of Rome, for this operation and for their timely intervention.