Fall of the Insta-mafia: Brutal gypsy gang who loved to flaunt their ill-gotten gains on social media were arrested after mobster's wife turned supergrass

These photos reveal how an alleged gypsy mafia clan in Italy flaunted luxury goods on social media - before they were arrested in a huge police raid.

Italy's military police launched a huge operation involving some 250 officers as they swooped on luxury villas belonging to alleged Casamonica mobsters on the outskirts of the capital, Rome.

A total of 11 women and 22 men were arrested during the raids with one of the alleged heads of the organised crime unit among those held. Photos show officers leafing through expensive-looking goods - including a life-size marble leopard - in gaudy properties with gilded and marble furniture, the Daily Mail reports.

Instagram pictures have since emerged of one of the arrested men, Ottavio Spada, posing with bottles of Champagne and showing off expensive watches and a jewel-studded crucifix necklace.

The police raid came after Debora Cerreoni, the wife of one of the alleged senior mobsters, Massimiliano Casamonica, turned supergrass to give vital information to police. She has since revealed how the Rolex is the gang's favourite type of watch.

The gang are infamous for terrifying anyone they encounter to ensure nobody testifies against them.

“They are animals who chop people up,” one police witness said.

An Italian comedian became one of their victims. He is said to have handed over 600,000 euros to repay a 10,000 euro loan.