Italy reports surge in job‑seeker and elderly fraud scams

A 35‑year‑old man from Agrigento was deceived by a fake recruiter who contacted him by phone and then moved the conversation to WhatsApp. The impostor offered simple online tasks with promises of quick payment, but demanded the victim register on unknown platforms and provide bank details, resulting in a loss of about €1,000.

In Tortona, a 79‑year‑old woman opened her door to a man claiming to be a water‑utility technician. The intruder stole valuable items and escaped in a car with cloned licence plates. Police are investigating and urge citizens not to admit strangers into their homes and to call 112 if approached.

Both incidents illustrate a rise in fraud schemes that exploit job seekers and the elderly, prompting warnings about verifying contacts and avoiding requests for money or personal data.