Italy reports surge in scams targeting elderly citizens

Law enforcement agencies in Italy are reporting a surge in sophisticated scams targeting elderly citizens. A common modus operandi involves criminals impersonating Carabinieri or judicial officials via telephone to create a sense of urgency or fear regarding a family member's legal troubles.

In Quartu Sant'Elena, police arrested a 42-year-old woman involved in an extortion scheme where a victim was convinced to hand over 10,000 euros and jewelry after being told her car was used in a robbery. Similarly, in Macerata, two men from Campania were identified following an attempted scam against an 85-year-old woman who posed as financial officials.

In the Valmarecchia region, a 76-year-old woman lost over 1,500 euros in jewelry to a man posing as a police officer. Authorities have issued warnings advising citizens to immediately hang up and contact emergency services via a different phone if they receive suspicious calls involving family emergencies or requests for valuables.