Avellino – An online ad promising pellets at a "discount" price turned out to be a trap. A 25-year-old from the province of Caserta ended up in trouble. He was reported at large by the Carabinieri of the Bisaccia (Avellino) station for fraud, after a victim paid approximately €1.000 without ever receiving the goods or getting his money back.
According to the Carabinieri's reconstruction, it all started with a complaint from a citizen who, attracted by an offer posted online, began negotiations with the seller. Convinced of the offer's reliability, he made a bank transfer to the bank account indicated by the advertiser, but since then there has been no trace of the purchased pellets.
Thanks to technical investigations and the reconstruction of financial transactions, the police identified the account holder used to collect the money: the 25-year-old now under investigation. For the Carabinieri, this is a classic case of online predatory crime, where the apparent anonymity of the internet does not guarantee impunity.
The Carabinieri's warning: "Check the reliability of the sellers."
The Avellino Provincial Carabinieri Command, in commenting on the incident, reiterates its recommendation to be wary of "excessively advantageous" offers and to carefully verify the reliability of online sellers. The advice is to avoid advance payments without adequate guarantees and, if in doubt, to call 112 or contact the nearest police station.
How to protect yourself from online pellet scams
Experts and law enforcement agencies remind you of some basic rules to reduce the risk of fraud when purchasing pellets online:
Compare the proposed price with the market price: excessive discounts are often a warning sign.
Check the seller's information (company name, VAT number, headquarters, contact details) and their online presence (reviews, history, certifications such as ENplus).
Avoid transfers to personal accounts, especially if the advert is presented as “business”.
Don't pay 100% upfront on your first purchase; prefer traceable and secure payment methods.
Keep screenshots of the ad, chats, and receipts: in the event of a scam, they are essential for reporting it.
If you like, I can adapt this text for you in a more "dry" version for a social media news flash or in a longer, more in-depth version with advice boxes and data on the pellet market in Irpinia.
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Tips for avoiding online scams when buying pellets
Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from potential fraud when purchasing pellets online.
- Confronta i prezzi: Check the market price to identify suspicious offers.
- Verify the seller: Check company name, VAT number, and online reviews.
- Avoid personal transfers: Do not make payments to private accounts, especially for business sales.
- Don't pay everything upfront: Prefer traceable payment methods and don't pay the entire amount at once.
- Keep the evidence: Save screenshots and receipts for any fraud reporting purposes.
