Naples – A 44-year-old man from Naples, already known to law enforcement, was arrested in Sovicille on charges of aggravated fraud against an 80-year-old local man. Carabinieri officers from the Siena branch, along with officers from the city's stations, stopped him as he was leaving the victim's home.
During the search, jewelry and gold items worth approximately €3.000 were recovered and immediately returned to their owner. The man was transferred to Siena prison for judicial review. The scam is the now notorious "fake carabiniere" scam.
The elderly man was contacted by phone by a self-proclaimed officer, who told him that his car would be used in a jewelry store robbery. Using the excuse of comparing the gold in his home with the stolen gold, the scammer convinced him to hand over all the valuables to a "plainclothes agent." Shortly thereafter, the 44-year-old himself showed up at the door.
After the usual formalities, the arrested man was placed at the disposal of the Prosecutor's Office.
How to defend yourself
The Carabinieri remind you of some basic rules: don't trust unusual calls; don't open the door to strangers; no law enforcement agency asks for money or valuables for "checks." If in doubt, call 112 immediately.
How to protect yourself from scams targeting the elderly
Here are some practical tips to prevent scams similar to the one reported in the article.
- Don't trust phone calls: Do not answer calls from unknown numbers or those requesting personal information.
- Do not open to strangers: If you don't know the person, it's best not to open the door.
- Always verify your identity: No law enforcement representative asks for money or valuables.
- Ask for help: If in doubt, contact 112 or a family member immediately.
- Inform family members: Share any scam attempts with loved ones to raise awareness.
