Modena, pensioner scam: 3 years and 8 months sought for 27-year-old Neapolitan

Modena – A trial has begun in court for a fraud scheme targeting a pensioner, with a 27-year-old man from Naples charged. The prosecution has requested a three-year and eight-month prison sentence under a fast-track trial. According to the prosecution, the defendant's role was to participate in a raid that exploited the elderly man's panic.

According to the prosecution's hypothesis, the events date back to May 27th. The man reportedly showed up at the victim's home on Via Caduti in Guerra in Modena after a phone call in which the caller introduced himself as a member of the Carabinieri and stated the need to check for stolen items among the victim's jewelry. Shortly thereafter, a colleague assigned to check the jewelry arrived at the apartment.

The victim, likely frightened, allegedly placed the jewelry on a cloth. At that point, according to the prosecution, the defendant took it and left the apartment. A neighbor, alerted by the victim and assisted by another tenant, managed to restrain the young man in the elevator, preventing him from escaping.

Flying squad officers arrived shortly thereafter and arrested the defendant, who was then taken to prison. Investigators believe the incident is linked to the phenomenon of so-called "transfers," people sent to other cities by criminal gangs to commit fraud against the elderly.

The defendant's version, presented during the hearing, is different. According to his account, he was approached in Naples by a gang member who offered him €500 for each job. He was sent to Modena to retrieve a package without knowing its contents.

Once he realized he had to participate in the scam, he attempted to back out, but was threatened by the organization's top brass, with the threat of assault if he returned to Naples without the package. The prosecution confirmed the conviction request. The final decision rests with the judge in the summary trial.