Thirty-four suspects are accused of taking part in a major scam whereby they inflicted serious injuries on people in exchange for part of their insurance payout.

More than 50 drug addicts, alcoholics and mentally ill people are believed to have been targeted as part of the conspiracy on the Italian island of Sicily, BBC News reports.

Police said the scam, believed to be worth over €2 million a year, came to light after one victim died from his beating.

Those arrested include doctors, physiotherapists and a lawyer involved in filing the insurance claims.