In Salerno , the Police Flying Squad put an end to a spate of 17 aggravated thefts against passersby, mostly women and elderly people, between July and September. Two suspects with specific criminal records were placed under house arrest by order of the preliminary investigations judge, at the request of the Prosecutor's Office. They are charged with theft by sleight of hand, improper use of cards, unauthorized access to computer systems, computer fraud, and receiving stolen goods.
The investigation, which began with a thorough analysis of public and private surveillance videos, reconstructed the two accomplices' modus operandi. One distracted the victims by posing as a tourist seeking directions, while the other quickly emptied bags from parked cars, grabbing cash, documents, jewelry, and credit cards. The loot? Approximately €50 in illicit profits, generated not only from ATM withdrawals and in-store purchases, but also from fraudulent transfers to the victims' online banking accounts.
In the most daring cases, the criminals even took possession of the victims' smartphones. From there, they broke into their personal banking systems, transferring large sums to accounts held by front men or cards in their own names. "A tried-and-true and ruthless scheme, which targeted the most vulnerable," investigators explain, emphasizing the two men's criminal records for similar crimes.
The breakthrough came from cross-referencing video footage and bank records: each transaction led directly to the perpetrators, nailing them irrevocably. Now under house arrest, the two await trial, while the Prosecutor's Office rules out outside accomplices but hasn't abandoned the possibility of receiving stolen goods.
Law enforcement is sounding the alarm: "Be wary of suspicious requests for information, especially if you're alone in the car." A warning to the people of Salerno, after months of daily terror.
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