Italy is a member of EU and perceived by most foreigners as a civilized developed country with adequate legal system and consumer protection laws.  Unfortunately when it comes to judicial system Italy is a third world country.  Your legal rights as a real estate investor or consumer  are limited.  Construction regulations  are  nonexistent ,  laws are not followed or  enforced and contracts are created to be violated.  Construction  in Italy still remains   to be a feeding ground for Mafia.  Most development  projects require significant deposits  from unsuspected investors . The construction may be delayed for an extended period of time or not happen at all. Civil court proceedings are lengthy and not enforced even if ruled in your favor.  Hiring Italian lawyers and legal costs of civil action  often times exceed the amount of deposit what discourages victim even to initiate civil action. Criminal complaints go nowhere even if filed.  These major judicial system inefficiencies are well known and exploited by individuals like Mr Arras who  decided to take a step further in his real estate operations. 

Always get an independent real estate lawyer who will evaluate all documents related to land ownership , construction permits and etc and discuss your rights if non performance of the development project.