Bond girl Maria Grazia Cucinotta target of foiled Mafia kidnap plot

A plot by Mafia mobsters to kidnap a Bond girl has been smashed by Italian police - reports the Daily Record.

The gang had planned to seize stunning Maria Grazia Cucinotta, 37, who starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in 1999 James Bond film "The World Is Not Enough", and hold her to ransom.

Details of the kidnap plot emerged yesterday in a court case involving Sicilian mobsters Giuseppe Maniaci, 50 and Salvatore Micali, 38.

The two men we re arrested as part of an operation codenamed Domino and charged with extortion.

Cops planted bugs in the homes of both men, who are from Messina, in Sicily - the Mafia's stronghold

In tapes played in court, the men were heard plotting the kidnap of Cucinotta, who also starred in classic Italian movie Il Postino.

Maniaci, who has convictions for extortion and firearms offences, was heard saying: "What about kidnapping Maria Grazia Cucinotta and then asking for a ransom? We could make a load of money."

Prosecutor Carmelo Petralia said: "We're talking about a determined gang. They had connections with another family who had carried out several kidnappings in the area."

Cucinotta was not available for comment.

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