Italy confronts wave of fake crime hoaxes targeting seniors and aspiring journalists

An 81‑year‑old pensioner, Tino Zogno, living in Arcore, Lombardy, received a phone call from someone claiming to be a lieutenant colonel of the Carabinieri. The caller cited Zogno’s full name, vehicle registration and personal details, alleging that a stolen BMW was linked to a recent robbery. He was pressured to bring gold and jewellery from his home for a supposed inspection, with threats of further action. Zogno reported the incident, helping to expose the scam.

In a separate case, Adriano Cappellari, an aspiring journalist from Vicenza, admitted to fabricating an incendiary attack on his own house. In a letter to the prosecutor, he apologized, acknowledging that he “traded the trust of many people” and expressed a desire to cooperate fully with the authorities. Cappellari said personal stress and emotional turmoil led him to stage the hoax, and he pledged to work on legal‑compliance initiatives moving forward.