Two elderly women were arrested at Caserta station for defrauding them of gold and cash.

The Carabinieri intercepted her as she attempted to flee by train, with the loot still in her bag. This ended the escape of a 27-year-old woman, a resident of the Naples area and already known to law enforcement, who was arrested by officers from the Caserta Company's Mobile Radio Unit on charges of aggravated fraud against elderly people.

The arrest was made on the evening of Monday, July 27, following an investigation launched after two scams had occurred a few hours earlier in San Marco in Lamis, in the province of Foggia. The search, coordinated by the Carabinieri of the local station, led to the location of the alleged perpetrator at the Caserta train station, where the officers decided to intervene.

The recovered loot

During the personal search, the Carabinieri found approximately 300 grams of gold jewelry and €1.180 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of the recent scams. All the material was seized and will be returned to its rightful owners following the completion of the required judicial procedures.

The fake policeman scam

According to investigators' reconstruction, the 27-year-old allegedly acted together with other accomplices, who are still unknown at this time.

The group allegedly contacted the victims by phone, posing as members of the Carabinieri. The elderly men were told of a recent alleged robbery and the need to hand over cash and jewelry so they could compare it with the valuables allegedly stolen during the fictitious robbery.

A completely fabricated story, constructed to exploit the good faith and fear of the victims, who, convinced they were cooperating with law enforcement, spontaneously handed over gold and cash to the scammers.

House arrest and investigations into accomplices

Following the investigation, the woman was arrested and, by order of the judicial authorities, placed under house arrest pending a validation hearing.

Investigations are continuing to track down the other members of the gang who allegedly organized and carried out the scams.

As required by law, the proceedings are in the preliminary investigation phase and the suspect is presumed innocent until a final conviction is issued.

The appeal of the carabinieri

The Carabinieri reiterate their call, especially to the elderly and their families, to be wary of anyone who, by phone or in person, presents themselves as members of the police or other public bodies and asks for the handover of money, jewelry, or other valuables.

In case of suspicious requests, it is essential to cease all contact and immediately call 112, so as to allow timely intervention by the police.