Naples: New call center for senior citizen scams dismantled, 7 arrests

Naples – This morning, the State Police executed a precautionary custody order issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Court of Naples, at the request of the Naples Prosecutor's Office, against seven people aged between 25 and 58.

The suspects are considered seriously suspected of the crime of criminal conspiracy with an operational base in Naples, aimed at committing fraud against elderly people.

According to investigators' reconstruction, the group allegedly carried out nine incidents starting in December 2024 in the provinces of Alessandria, Verbania, Pistoia, Lucca, Pesaro Urbino, Ancona, and Lecce, obtaining an illicit profit estimated at approximately 200 euros.

The script: "relative's accident" and immediate delivery

The investigation, coordinated by the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office and conducted by the Flying Squad, appears to have revealed a well-established pattern of operations. The victims, all between the ages of 75 and 89, were contacted on their landlines by a person identifying himself as a "marshal" and reporting that a relative of the elderly man had caused a car accident with an uninsured vehicle, resulting in serious injuries for one of the victims.

To increase the psychological pressure, in several circumstances it was added that the victim of the accident was a child rushed to the hospital or a pregnant woman in danger of dying.

At that point, the fake law enforcement agent suggested that immediate compensation was the only way to avoid the relative's arrest, inducing the elderly man to hand over cash kept in the house or jewelry present.

“Telephone bombardment” to isolate the victim

Throughout the scam, according to investigators, the suspects allegedly engaged in a veritable "telephone bombardment" of landlines and cell phones, with conversations lasting over an hour and continuing even after the money was withdrawn. The objective, according to the investigation, was twofold: to maintain psychological control over the victim and prevent her from contacting relatives or friends, thus avoiding police intervention.

In some monitored conversations preceding the robberies, the suspects allegedly made clear their intention to terrorize the offended parties and "make the victims cry" to more easily obtain money and valuables.

An alleged ringleader operated from house arrest

Among the elements highlighted in the order, the Prosecutor's Office notes that one of the promoters and leaders of the organization allegedly directed the activities of the other members while under house arrest.

Other measures: residence and signature requirement

The investigating judge also ordered four other individuals, deemed seriously suspected of participating in individual fraud incidents, to reside in the Municipality of Naples and report daily to the local police station.