HShe had the foresight not to fall for the trap and, with her screams, attracted the attention of neighbors and the police. Thus, a 73-year-old woman from Como managed to foil yet another attempted scam targeting the elderly, a phenomenon that has become alarmingly widespread in recent years and continues to claim victims, especially among the most vulnerable.
The events date back to the afternoon of Thursday, August 28, around 16 p.m., in a house on Via Borgovico. The elderly woman received a phone call from a self-styled captain of the Carabinieri: in an authoritative tone the man warned her that her car's license plate had been implicated in a jewelry store robbery.
Immediately afterward, he told her that a woman would show up at her house to “view the jewelry” and verify that it was not part of the stolen goods.
A few minutes later, right on time as the scam plan predicted, a 73-year-old Neapolitan woman with a criminal record and resident in the Campania capital showed up at the 53-year-old's door.
He persistently demanded to see the gold and valuables stored in the house. But the elderly woman, aided by the State Police's awareness campaign to warn citizens, saw through the ruse. Under the increasingly intense pressure of the fake agent, she responded by screaming and begging for help.
A brief scuffle ensued: the scammerTo escape, he grabbed the victim. But the screams alarmed a neighbor, who immediately called 112. Within minutes, officers from the Como Flying Squad arrived on the scene and collected the victim's statement and details needed to begin the search.
The 53-year-old was located shortly thereafter at the Como San Giovanni train station and arrested on charges of attempted aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated fraud. Taken to the police station, it was discovered that she had a criminal record and that her cell phone will now be analyzed to identify any possible accomplices.
The incident re-sheds light on the hateful phenomenon of elderly scams, a crime that exploits the fear and naivety of vulnerable individuals, often duped with increasingly sophisticated ploys: fake accidents, fake police officers, and so-called lawyers. Unfortunately, the victim isn't always able to spot the scam, but the Borgovico case demonstrates the importance of prevention and education.
Police recommendations for the elderly
"Meetings with citizens," the police remind, "serve precisely this purpose: to provide tools for recognizing danger and defending oneself. Citizen cooperation remains essential."
This time, thanks to the courage of a 73-year-old woman and the prompt action of the officers, the trap was not sprung. But vigilance remains high: scams targeting the elderly are a scourge that continues to affect all of Italy and requires vigilance, awareness, and, above all, the courage to report.
Article published by Federica Annunziata on August 29, 2025, at 11:40 AM
Comments (1)
It's truly amazing how this woman managed to avoid the scam, but we all need to be more careful. Scams are a serious problem, and the situation should never be underestimated, especially for the elderly.