Rieti – There's no limit to the creativity of crime, especially when it targets the vulnerable elderly. But this time, the "fake Carabiniere" act ended with a criminal complaint and the offender being released.
The Carabinieri of the Cittaducale Company's Operational Unit have closed the loop on a 46-year-old from Campania, already known to the authorities, believed to be responsible for a series of telephone scams that have swept across central Italy.
The beginning of the end: the error at Antrodoco
It all began in November 2025. In Antrodoco, a woman received the usual, dramatic phone call: a self-styled soldier informed her that her son had ended up in "serious legal trouble." The solution? Pay immediately to avoid prison.
In shock, the victim handed over €800 in cash and several pieces of jewelry to an accomplice who showed up at the door shortly thereafter. What the scammer hadn't anticipated, however, was the speed of the investigative response. Thanks to a meticulous analysis of the evidence left behind and the immediate filing of a report, the Carabinieri were able to put a face and name to the alleged perpetrator.
A well-oiled 50 euro system
The investigation, however, didn't stop at the single Rieti incident. Digging into the records and cross-referencing the data with other Carabinieri stations, a much broader and more disturbing picture emerged. Between August and October 2025, the 46-year-old allegedly struck seven more times, moving like a ghost between the provinces of Siena, Terni, and Latina.
The chosen victims ranged in age from 55 to 89. The modus operandi remained the same: psychological pressure, a sense of urgency, and the (fake) uniform used as a shield to extort money. In just a few months, the man managed to amass an illicit stash estimated at around €53.000.
The defense of the force against "false colleagues"
The operation by the Carabinieri of Cittaducale is not only an investigative success, but also a warning to the public. Law enforcement officials reiterate that no Carabinieri officer or police officer will ever ask for money or jewelry to resolve pending legal matters.
The advice remains to be wary of sudden requests for valuables and to immediately contact 112 at the slightest suspicion. Meanwhile, the 46-year-old from Campania's career as a "criminal actor" has come to a halt before the judges on charges of aggravated fraud.
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Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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