A terrifying phone call shattered the morning tranquility of an elderly woman from Gaiole in Chianti in the province of Siena, a land renowned for its famous vineyards.
On the other end of the line, an authoritative voice identified itself as a Carabinieri marshal, announcing devastating news: a car registered to her had caused a serious car accident. To avoid charges and criminal prosecution, the woman was required to immediately hand over her money and jewelry to an expert appointed by the authorities.
Paralyzed by fear and confusion, the 80-year-old gave in: €500 in cash and gold jewelry worth approximately €15.000 ended up in the hands of an accomplice, who promptly showed up at her door as an "official representative." A total haul of €15.500, the fruit of a lifetime of savings.
The Carabinieri's lightning reaction
But this time the scam didn't work out. The victim, sensing something suspicious, immediately alerted the real carabinieri. The Siena Provincial Command's operations center raised the alarm, and thanks to the real-time alert, a patrol from the Investigative Unit was able to intercept the criminals still in the area.
The raid took place in the late morning of November 25, 2025: the military stopped the two scammers' car shortly after the stolen goods were handed over. Inside the vehicle, hidden but still intact, they found the cash and valuables stolen from the elderly woman.
Two Neapolitans behind bars
The perpetrators of the scam are two men from the province of Naples, both arrested in the act. According to the investigation, they used the tried-and-tested technique of fake road accidents, a criminal scheme that continues to claim victims, especially among the elderly.
The stolen goods were immediately seized and will be returned to their rightful owner. The two arrested individuals were transferred to Siena prison, where they remain awaiting a validation hearing before the preliminary investigations judge.
The social alarm
This incident is part of a long series of scams targeting elderly people, a phenomenon that law enforcement agencies are combating with awareness campaigns and targeted local checks. The recommendation remains the same: be wary of alarmist calls and never hand over money or valuables without verifying the caller's identity by contacting the official law enforcement number directly.
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Comments (1)
I don't understand how older people fall for these scams, but the police should be more vigilant and provide assistance before these nasty things happen. Perhaps more information is needed for everyone.