Italy police crack down on fake officer scams targeting elderly

Law enforcement agencies across Italy are reporting a surge in a specific type of fraud targeting elderly citizens, where perpetrators impersonate Carabinieri or other police officers. The scammers typically contact victims by phone, claiming a family member is in legal trouble or that a home inspection is required due to a crime. They then send accomplices to collect gold jewelry and cash under the guise of official verification or bail.

Recent operations have led to numerous arrests. In Genoa, two young men were detained after stealing approximately 50,000 euros worth of jewelry. In Nova Milanese, a 17-year-old was intercepted after a neighbor intervened during a theft. In Matera, two men were caught with 30,000 euros in stolen gold, and in Alghero, a 24-year-old was identified via fingerprinting. Other incidents in Maranello, Ardea, and Veneto have also resulted in the arrest of suspects involved in similar impersonation schemes.