A new scam is spreading in Secondigliano that exploits the generosity of citizens to obtain money illegally.
The scam, nicknamed “the hungry child scam,” was denounced by Giuseppe Alviti, president of the National Association of Private Security Guards and provincial head of security for Forza Italia.
Scammers reportedly stop people on the street or at traffic lights and tell a touching story: a struggling father who can't afford milk for his child and blames the government for his plight.
The victim, driven by compassion, is convinced to buy the milk, but shortly thereafter the criminals return the product to the store to obtain a cash refund.
"This morning, on Corso Secondigliano, I intervened personally, alerting the police. An individual was stopped just as he was trying to return the goods he had just purchased to get his money back", Alviti said.
The reports are multiplying: many citizens have reported similar episodes. "My wife fell into the trap," says a resident, "she bought milk and groceries for a woman who, thinking back, seemed to have an agreement with the shopkeeper himself."
The indignation is growing and the community is calling for a decisive intervention by the authorities to stop these scams, which exploit solidarity for fraudulent purposes. The phenomenon, which does not only concern Secondigliano, puts at risk the sense of trust and generosity among people, making an immediate response necessary to protect citizens from these manipulations.
Article published on March 22, 2025 - 08pm
It is sad that there are people who take advantage of the kindness of others. The story of the hungry child seems very true, but in reality it is just a deception. People must be careful and not be easily fooled, even if the situation is difficult.