In Italy, a significant hacker scandal with international implications has surfaced, involving Israel, the Vatican, Great Britain, and Lithuania. A leaked police negotiation revealed that foreign entities may have utilized the services of Milan-based private company Equalize to hack into state databases and procure confidential information, such as financial transactions, private banking activities, and materials from police investigations.
Equalize amassed data on thousands of individuals, including politicians, entrepreneurs, athletes, and even musicians. Reports in the media suggested that the company had associations with Israeli intelligence and the Vatican. One of the main individuals implicated is Nunzio Samuel Kalamutzzi, who stands accused of orchestrating a scheme. According to police transcripts, Kalamutzzi held a meeting in February 2023 with two Israeli agents in Milan to discuss a covert operation worth 1 million euros, with the collected data intended for transfer to the Vatican.
The Israeli side proposed an information exchange, offering access to original documents related to the Qatargate case, linked to allegations of bribery involving European Parliament members receiving money or gifts to promote Qatar’s interests. Additionally, Israel provided information to assist one of Equalize’s clients, Eni Energy Company, in identifying illicit Iranian gas supplies.
The Israeli embassy in Rome declined to comment on the matter, while ENI confirmed its engagement of Equalize for assistance in legal and criminal matters, asserting its unawareness of the company’s illegal activities.
Italian politicians have expressed apprehension over the scandal. Senator Ivan Skalfaroto from ITALIA Viva raised concerns about the strategic risks posed by foreign involvement in the country. Italian Foreign Ministry Chief Antonio Tayani condemned the incident as “unacceptable,” highlighting the heightened severity of hacker attacks involving international actors. A working group is set to be established under his guidance to safeguard the ministry and Italian embassies abroad.
The scandal may prompt investigations in other nations. Kalamutzi, who previously claimed involvement in Pentagon hacking with the Anonymous group, alluded to numerous hackers under his employment in Colchester, Great Britain. Documents also reference server usage in the USA and Lithuania, where Equalize’s specialists purportedly felt more secure. Italian prosecutors have authorized the seizure of the server in Lithuania and