Italian accused of fake Champions League tickets

Italian police have discovered what they say is a fraudulent company selling fake travel packages to the Champions League final.

Police said Thursday they have arrested an unidentified 35-year-old man. He is accused of opening a fake company in the southern Italian city of Salerno. It is selling a two-day package of travel, ticket and lodging to Saturday's final in Madrid for $1,850.

Police say the man has swindled up to $123,000 from travel companies that had signed up.

The final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich has led to a scramble for tickets from Inter fans desperate to see their team in its first European Cup final since 1972.

(Published by The Boston Globe – May 20, 2010)