Portici – They tried to defraud a 76 year old with the classic fake lawyer scam, but the man was not fooled and, with a clever move, triggered the intervention of the carabinieri.
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Two young women ended up in handcuffs, while an accomplice was reported.
The robbery had been planned in detail. In the afternoon, the old man receives a phone call: on the other end of the line, a voice introduces itself as a lawyer and tells him that his son has been arrested for running over a person. To avoid worse trouble, he is asked to pay immediately 1.300 €.
Although frightened, the 76-year-old begins to have suspicions. During the phone call, passing in front of a bar in Gaetano Poli Street, notices two carabinieri drinking a coffee.
Without saying a word, he approaches and put the cell phone to the marshal's ear, letting him listen to the conversation. The soldier immediately understands that it is an attempted scam and, with a quick exchange of glances, agrees with theelderly a strategy to unmask scammers.
The trap for the two women and the arrest
The 76-year-old decides to indulge the scammer, following the instructions for the delivery of the money. The carabinieri, in the meantime, are on his trail to intervene at the right time. The place chosen for the exchange is via Diaz, where shortly after a car arrives, a Jeep Renegade, with two women on board.
As soon as the money is delivered, The military takes action and arrests the two scammers: It is Maria Lorusso, 20 years old, resident in Pomigliano d'Arco, and Arianna Pizzone, 23 years old, from Casoria, both with specific precedents.
Not far away, a 44-year-old was acting as lookout, observing the scene without noticing the presence of the carabinieri. He too was identified and reported.
The money was returned to the rightful owner, while the two women were transferred to prison awaiting trial.
The appeal of the police
The Carabinieri remind citizens, especially the elderly, to Do not trust requests for money made over the phone by alleged lawyers or members of the police force and to contact the immediately 112 in case of doubt.
Article published on March 29, 2025 - 08pm
The article is about a scam that was foiled by an elderly man, but there are many similar cases that do not end well. It is important to be careful and report any suspicions. Not everyone reacts like this gentleman.
It is truly incredible how some people can try to deceive the elderly. We must be very careful and spread the word to prevent these situations. We hope there will be more controls in the future.