A scam text message, the fear of an unauthorized transfer, and two banking transactions made in good faith cost a 57-year-old woman from Montecosaro, in the province of Macerata, nearly €10.
This is the story reconstructed by the Carabinieri of the local station, who, after a detailed online and banking investigation, reported two young Neapolitans, aged 22 and 23, accused of aggravated fraud using the so-called phishing technique.
It all started last August, when the victim received a text message apparently from her bank, notifying her of a suspicious transfer from her account. The message included a phone number to call to block the transaction.
Panicked, the woman called and found a calm, confident voice on the other end of the line, claiming to be a bank operator.
It might interest you
Pezzotto, after DAZN comes the League: more substantial compensation for football "pirates."
Nino D'Angelo, forced exile from Naples: "The Camorra shot us out of the windows, we were forced to flee."
A sustainable lifestyle: how to start with small daily steps
Gratteri opposes the justice reform: "It doesn't separate careers; it puts prosecutors under the government."
The next day, not seeing the transaction canceled, the victim called the same number again and, still believing she was speaking to a bank employee, was tricked into making a second transfer of nearly €5. Only after realizing she had been scammed did the woman and her partner contact the police.
Investigations and complaints
Thanks to careful investigative work, the Montecosaro military managed to trace the Postepay card into which the two transfers had been made and to identify the two alleged fraudsters.
According to the reconstruction, the 23-year-old was the cardholder, while the 22-year-old had accompanied him to various post offices in Naples to collect the money and had received part of it in his own bank account.
Both were charged with aggravated fraud. Investigations are ongoing to determine any possible connections to other similar cyber fraud schemes.
The Carabinieri's alarm
The military reiterates the importance of never responding to suspicious text messages or phone calls asking for banking transactions or providing sensitive information.
"If in doubt," the Carabinieri emphasize, "it's always best to contact your bank directly or visit a branch in person. Digital fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, but caution remains the first line of defense against scammers."
Leave a comment