FOGGIA—On a November early morning, Gianpaolo Romano observed an unsigned letter beneath the glass entrance of his vehicle showroom in this south Italian province acknowledged for its pristine beach locations, extensive tomato fields and, these days, a ruthless nearby mafia.

The concept mentioned he experienced to fork out €250,000, equal to $286,000, to be protected. It did not say to whom he had to pay back the pizzo, or protection revenue, but that he must come across them himself. They realized his routines and where by his household lived, the letter explained. It was the initially time he experienced gained such a need.