The "Pomelia" investigation by the Genoa Public Prosecutor's Office, which dismantled another Neapolitan gang specializing in the heinous crime of defrauding the elderly, continues to verify any other heists attributable to the gang.
A real “holding” of the scam, structured with well-defined roles and hierarchies, 13 people who ended up in prison and who moved like a tested mechanism, exploiting the emotional fragility of the elderly to strike in a scientific and ruthless way.
The precautionary custody orders, signed by the investigating judge of Genoa, arise from a thorough investigation which has reconstructed at least 43 episodes of deception, between attempts and successful shots, for a total estimated loot of over
The apical figures
At the top of the organization, according to what emerged from the investigation documents, there would be Alessandro D'Errico, 36 years old, known as “The uncle”, resident in Atri at the Decumani, and his companion Antonietta Mascitelli, 40 years old, resident in Arenaccia. They were the ones who coordinated the criminal network, managing roles, transfers and division of earnings.
D'Errico, as reported by Il Roma on newsstands, would also have taken an active part in the scams, sometimes taking on the role of “telephone operator”, while Mascitelli maintained contact with the operational batteries and the victims.
Roles in the band
According to investigators, the organization was divided into departments: there were telephone operators, logistics organizers, couriers and the material executors of the robberies.
Among the telephone operators Antonio Frezzetti, Antonio Di Balsamo, Gaetano Taglialatela and Giovanni D'Errico (Alessandro's father) appear.
Vincenzo Di Balsamo was supposedly responsible for managing the operational hideout in Pomigliano d'Arco, considered the gang's headquarters.
Anna Cafiero she would have taken care of the logistics related to renting cars for trips to Northern Italy.
, Giovanni Maccarone, Davide Rea, Raffaele Calienno and Pasquale Pecoraro would have composed the “operational batteries”, ready to strike on the field, moving between different regions.
Phone Calls: The Psychological Savagery of Deception
The wiretaps of phone calls between scammers and victims are chilling. Voices broken by tears, full of fear.
“How can I help you? I want to help my son,” a woman cries in despair as a scammer demands 8.500 euros, claiming that her son is about to be arrested, and that “the judge is pushing for it.”
In another call, an accomplice explains to the victim that he must pay in cash and that he will get the money back:
“Madam, you did not make the transfer, you must pay cash on delivery. The money will be returned to you.”
“I hope so… otherwise I have to kill myself,” he saysthe woman leans in, desperate.
Another old lady is asked to take off the chain from her neck:
“Did you take all the gold objects? How much do they weigh?”
“215 grams,” the victim replied.
“He must take everything, add everything he has.”
To those who ask if they can contact another child for advice, the answer is blunt:
“We don’t have time. I’ll send you one of my collaborators now.”
In one of the wiretaps between the gang members, a man reports:
“Now that you arrive you have to change his diaper too, he’s full of money. Let’s do something quick.”
And the other one replies:
“I’m 2.5 km away. I have 12 minutes to go. Keep him on the phone.”
List of those arrested
Anna Cafiero, 41 years old, from via Ferraris (Naples)
Raffaele Calienno, 24 years old, from via Vincenzo De Monte (Naples)
Anthony Of Balsam, 38 years old, from Pomigliano d'Arco (Naples)
Vincent DiBalsamo, 35 years old, from Pomigliano d'Arco (Naples)
Alessandro D'Errico, 36 years old, known as “The Uncle”, resident in Atri ai Decumani (Naples)
John D'Errico, 58 years old, father of Alessandro, resident in Atri (Naples)
Antonio Frezzetti, 28 years old, from vico Santi Filippo e Giacomo (Naples)
John Maccarone, 29 years old, originally from Palermo but resident in Pomigliano (Naples)
Antonietta Mascitelli, 40 years old, from via Andrea Cantelmo (Naples)
Easter Pecoraro, 46 years old, from via Fico al Mercato (Naples)
David Rea, 36 years old, from Ravenna
Gaetano Taglialatela, 24 years old, known as “Tano”, from vico Giganti (Naples)
I read the article and I think it is a very sad situation, that of scams against the elderly. I do not understand how it is possible that there are people who exploit the vulnerability of those who are weaker. It is truly unacceptable and I hope that measures are taken.