Victim Exposes Scam, Police Arrest Him With Knife in Backpack
Naples – A 38-year-old Neapolitan, already known to the police, was arrested this afternoon by the Vomero Police Station for attempting to defraud an elderly woman.
The man, in addition to being arrested for aggravated fraud, was also reported at large for illegal possession of weapons: during the search, in fact, the officers found a switchblade hidden in his backpack.
The episode took place in Via Onofrio Fragnito, in the neighbourhood Rione Alto. The elderly victim received a phone call from a man who, pretending to be her son, told her that he had hit someone in an accident and urgently needed money to pay for the damages.
The woman's voice broken by tears and the dramatic nature of the situation could have led anyone into the trap, but just as she was on the phone, her real son came home, making it immediately clear that it was a trap.
With great coolness, the woman pretended to believe the scam, gaining time and allowing her family to alert the police. In the meantime, the scammer showed up at her house to collect a bag with money and jewelry, but was stopped by the officers, who rushed to the scene thanks to the timely report.
The arrested man, already burdened by previous criminal convictions, was taken to prison for aggravated fraud against an elderly person, while for the knife discovered in his backpack he was reported for carrying objects capable of causing offence.
Another attempted fraud unmasked thanks to the victim's promptness and the rapid intervention of the police, who prevented the man from getting away with it.
Article published on 6 June 2025 - 20:26
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It's amazing how people can fall for these scams, but it's also true that older people are more vulnerable and scammers know how to take advantage of them. I hope the police continue to do a good job against this type of crime.