Rome – They pretended to be police officers and called victims, announcing fake road accidents involving their families.
A tried-and-true scheme that netted the scammers jewels and cash, but which has now cost two young Neapolitans, aged 18 and 23, the application of precautionary measures ordered by the Court of Rome.
The operation was conducted by officers of the Rome Capital Local Police – Judicial Police Unit of the General Command and III Nomentano Group – together with personnel from the Viminale Police Station of the Capitoline Police Headquarters, at the request of the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office.
The scam against the elderly woman
The investigation has reconstructed in detail the criminal scheme orchestrated by the two suspects. In March 2025, with the help of accomplices, they targeted an 89-year-old woman living in the northern part of the capital.
The call always followed the same pattern: a family member had been involved in a serious car accident and had been detained by the police. Immediate money was needed to resolve the situation.
The woman, who has mobility issues, believing her nephew's story of being in trouble, had sent her caregiver to Termini Station to deliver jewelry and cash to one of the two young Neapolitans. This meeting proved crucial in triggering the investigation.
Precautionary measures
Investigators quickly identified the primary suspect, reconstructing the entire incident until they traced the second accomplice, who had contacted the victim directly from Naples. Based on the evidence gathered, the Preliminary Investigations Judge ordered both suspects to remain in their municipalities of residence and to report to the Judicial Police.
The precautionary measures were carried out in the municipalities of Melito di Napoli and Casoria by the Local Police and the State Police. The two young Neapolitans will face charges of aggravated fraud against an elderly person.
Investigative efforts are continuing to determine whether the two arrested individuals may be responsible for other similar incidents and to identify any possible accomplices in the criminal network. Investigators are examining reports of similar scams filed in recent months in the capital and surrounding areas.
The phenomenon of "fake accident" scams targeting the elderly continues to be a social scourge, affecting the most vulnerable segments of the population by exploiting their victims' fear and emotional distress.
Comments (4)
Lutamma of people
He must have sent them cool things, he's used to it!!
It's truly sad to see how these scams affect older people, especially the most vulnerable. Law enforcement must be more proactive in preventing these crimes and educating citizens on how to protect themselves.
Munnezz