A mysterious antagonist known as the Masked Count orchestrates Rebecca Rossellini's kidnapping as part of a scheme targeting Lupin III. He formally challenges Lupin to a contest determining who can first obtain the fabled inheritance of the historical Count of Cagliostro, establishing the narrative's central conflict.

Operating from the shadows, he manipulates individuals like the enthusiastic fan Pietro Panini to carry out criminal acts on his behalf, including the train robbery and kidnapping that initiate events. His true identity remains concealed behind an ornate mask throughout, fueling widespread mystery. He claims descent from the lineage of the Count of Cagliostro, positioning himself as heir to its legacy and associated wealth or power, though the claim remains contested within the narrative.

His motivations appear driven by a desire to outwit Lupin, proving his own superiority and claiming the Cagliostro inheritance. He functions as a catalyst, tying together plot threads involving MI6 agent Nyx, Italian police chief Sergio, paparazzo Salo, and Gaspare, another claimant to Cagliostro's lineage. His background prior to these events, true name, and ultimate fate remain undisclosed, concluding without revealing the man behind the mask or definitively resolving his heritage. This character exists solely within the context of the "Italian Game" special.