Civitavecchia – The Carabinieri of Civitavecchia have put an end to the activities of a gang specializing in scams targeting the elderly, executing four precautionary measures today—two in prison and two under house arrest—on behalf of the Naples Prosecutor's Office.
The operation dismantled a criminal organization responsible for twelve scams between August and September 2022 in various Italian provinces, stealing approximately €45.000 and numerous valuables.
The "calling center" and the national logistics network
The investigation, launched by the Carabinieri Operations Unit in Civitavecchia, has reconstructed the group's modus operandi.
The organization operated through a sophisticated "call center" that contacted victims by phone, using fictitious phone cards to make themselves untraceable. This preliminary phase was supported by a complex nationwide logistics network, which facilitated the commission of the crimes and the management of the stolen goods.
During the course of the investigation, the Carabinieri had already intercepted and arrested four other individuals involved in the scams, successfully recovering part of the stolen goods on those occasions. Today's operation builds on these successes, leading to the identification and referral of seven additional individuals linked to the criminal organization.
The actions of law enforcement agencies underscore their commitment to combating an unfortunately increasingly widespread phenomenon: scams targeting the elderly , which aim to exploit the good faith and fragility of the most vulnerable people.
It's important that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant against these scams, as many elderly people are vulnerable. I hope these operations continue and lead to positive outcomes for society.