An attempted scam targeting an elderly resident of Crocetta del Montello, in the province of Treviso, was brilliantly foiled thanks to the victim's quick response and the timely intervention of the Carabinieri.
A 33-year-old from Naples , already known to law enforcement for similar crimes, has been reported for attempted fraud and impersonation.
The technique used by the man is "spoofing," an increasingly widespread practice in cybercrime. The criminal forged the incoming phone number, making the number of the Postal Police appear on the victim's phone.
Posing as an agency employee, he then convinced the woman to go to the post office to arrange an urgent transfer of €6.000 to a rechargeable card, which he claimed was a "security" measure to protect her savings.
He had convinced the woman to make a bank transfer of 6 thousand euros
However, the elderly woman, although alarmed by the call, sensed a ruse. Instead of following the order, she immediately alerted the Crocetta del Montello Carabinieri station.
The Carabinieri, coordinated by the Treviso Provincial Command, responded quickly. After blocking the transfer just in time, they began an investigation to identify the scammer.
The investigation, conducted through the analysis of data from the prepaid card and communications, led to the identification of the 33-year-old Neapolitan, who was tracked down and reported at large.
This significant operational success not only prevented the loss of the woman's savings, but also allowed her to receive the entire sum, which had never actually been transferred. The incident is part of an alarming national trend of telephone scams that primarily target the most vulnerable segments of the population.
The Carabinieri are taking this opportunity to reiterate their warning about scammers' methods: "Neither the Postal Police, nor law enforcement, nor your bank will ever ask you for your account numbers, your ATM PIN, or to make bank transfers to 'keep themselves safe.' If you receive any suspicious calls, please stop contacting us immediately."
Chronicles of Campania
Camorra ATMs: Mazzarella clan's cyber-fraud network busted: 16 arrests
Since first light, the Carabinieri of the Naples Provincial Command have been carrying out a massive operation in the area. At the center of the…
It was a very worrying situation, but fortunately the elderly woman realized something was wrong. I hope this story will help everyone understand the risks of phone scams and the importance of being vigilant.