Ischia elderly fraud foiled as two teenagers are arrested

Carabinieri of the Aliquota Radiomobile intercepted two minors, aged 15 and 16, on the island of Ischia before they could execute a telephone‑based fraud targeting senior citizens. The youths, residents of Torre Annunziata and Naples, were found carrying a fake police plate and State Police identification card, €180 cash presented as travel reimbursement, and smartphones loaded with Google Maps pins to the homes of alleged victims.

Investigators said an 85‑year‑old woman had already assembled about €6,000 in cash awaiting collection by a presumed emissary. The intercepted teens were slated to retrieve the money and valuables from several elderly residents. The operation was halted when Carabinieri stopped the pair, seized the counterfeit documents, and discovered the planned addresses. Both were charged with attempted fraud and handed over to their parents while police continue probing a larger criminal network that uses similar phone‑call scams.

The case highlights a growing trend of organized groups recruiting very young operatives to carry out scams against vulnerable elders.