Elderly fraud rises in Italy through digital and in-person scams

Elderly citizens in Italy are increasingly targeted by various fraud schemes, ranging from digital scams to in-person impersonation. Carmela Tiso of Accademia Iniziativa Comune noted that the summer period saw a rise in vulnerabilities, with scammers posing as technicians, municipal officials, or door-to-door salespeople. These criminals often exploit the social isolation and high level of trust that many seniors hold toward authority figures.

In the province of Cagliari, the Carabinieri have reported a significant number of complaints regarding online fraud, including phishing, smishing, and vishing. These methods involve fraudulent emails or messages mimicking banks to steal passwords and OTP codes. Additionally, criminals have been using psychological pressure by impersonating police or financial officers, both via telephone and in person, to coerce victims into handing over assets. While these crimes cause significant economic and psychological harm, local law enforcement interventions have occasionally led to the identification and arrest of suspects in the act.