Frosinone – A multi-million dollar scam, carried out using the tried-and-tested fake policeman scheme, is among the most expensive senior citizen scams to emerge in recent years.
Jewels and ancient coins worth approximately €500 were seized by the State Police following an operation that led to the arrest of a man on the A1 motorway near Frosinone.
The seizure on the A1
The operation was carried out by officers from the Frosinone Highway Police sub-section, who had received a wanted report for a Citroën DS4. The car was intercepted while traveling southbound at high speed.
During the search, two travel bags containing jewelry and gold coins of considerable value were found inside the vehicle, with a total value estimated at approximately half a million euros.
The driver's version and the investigations
The driver initially attempted to justify his possession of the valuables by claiming to be an art dealer. When pressed, he later admitted that he had been instructed by a third party—who remained anonymous—to transport the items from Sassuolo to Naples.
Subsequent investigations, conducted in collaboration with the Carabinieri of Sassuolo, allowed us to reconstruct the origin of the goods and identify the victim of the scam.
The scam on the collector
A few days earlier, the victim—an elderly collector—had been contacted by phone under the pretext that a family member's car had been reported near a robbery. A self-proclaimed law enforcement officer, exploiting his fear and sense of urgency, had convinced him to hand over seven suitcases filled with jewelry and valuables, with a total estimated value of approximately €1,5 million.
The fake policeman had explained that the material needed to be checked to ensure it was not stolen goods and to "clear" the family member of any suspicion.
The arrest and charges
The driver of the Citroën was arrested on charges of resisting a public officer and receiving stolen goods. His position is now being examined by investigators, also in relation to his possible involvement in fraud, one of the most insidious and profitable strands of crime targeting the elderly.
The alarm of the police
Law enforcement renews its appeal to the elderly and their families:
no member of the Police or Carabinieri asks for money, jewelry or home checks;
In case of suspicious phone calls, it is essential to immediately interrupt the conversation;
immediately contact a family member or call 112;
Do not open the door to strangers and never hand over goods or cash.
A scam that, in terms of its methods and economic value, confirms how these scams represent one of the most profitable criminal businesses today, affecting victims not only in their assets, but also in their trust and daily peace of mind.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's incredible how people can fall for these traps. The fake Carabiniere scam is very serious and makes us reflect on the importance of informing the elderly. We must be very careful not to trust strangers.