The source of Shamama’s funds raised eyebrows in France – “due diligence” not being very developed, it was more diplomatic intelligence and odour of scandal, as well as howls from the Tunisian treasury, for a related ongoing embezzlement case. 14/17

So Shamama made a flimsy claim to Italian heritage and threw cash around until Italy gave him citizenship (plus a title!) (He spoke no Italian. Didn't matter.) Even with "passport", he stayed in France, violating Italian requirement to register naturalisation 15/17