The Padua Flying Squad arrested a 28-year-old man from Naples red-handed, believed to be responsible for a scam targeting an elderly woman in the Padua area. On Wednesday, September 9th, the man telephoned an 86-year-old woman, posing as a Carabinieri marshal charged with collecting bail to prevent the arrest of the victim's daughter.
After convincing the elderly woman to open the door, he stole cash, watches, and gold jewelry worth over €5.000. The police, who had spotted him moving from the Padua train station to Piove di Sacco, followed him to the victim's home, where he was apprehended a few minutes after leaving the apartment.
The man, with a criminal record for drug dealing, was taken to the Due Palazzi prison in Padua. Police Chief Marco Odorisio commented on the arrest, emphasizing the importance of protecting the elderly, who are often targeted by scammers who exploit their emotional and social vulnerability. He also called for stronger collaboration between law enforcement and the community to prevent and combat these crimes, while also promoting targeted information campaigns.
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How to protect seniors from scams
Here are some practical tips to prevent scams targeting the elderly.
- Inform: Educate seniors about common scams and how to recognize them.
- Check: Encourage people to always verify the identity of anyone who comes to your home, especially if they are posing as an official.
- Communication: Establish an open channel of communication with family and friends to report suspicious situations.
- Report: Please report any attempted scam to the relevant authorities.
- Collaborate: Promote local awareness-raising and support initiatives for older people.
