Switzerland and Italy report surge in impersonation fraud

Law enforcement agencies in Switzerland and Italy are reporting significant increases in sophisticated fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations.

In the Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland, the Kantonspolizei Freiburg has recorded approximately 750 fraud attempts since the start of 2026. Of these, 130 cases were successful, resulting in losses of nearly 800,000 francs in cash and valuables. Authorities noted a shift in tactics, with criminals increasingly using messages and emails to initiate contact, rather than relying solely on telephone calls. Recent investigations led to the apprehension of three suspects, including a 24-year-old man acting as a courier.

In Italy, the Guardia di Finanza successfully thwarted a major impersonation scam in Avellino. Fraudsters posing as Carabinieri officers used a complex tactic involving multiple phone calls to separate a couple. One caller used a fake car theft story to lure the husband away from home, while a second caller, posing as a high-ranking officer, instructed the wife to hand over cash and jewelry for verification. The attempt was stopped when the husband, a member of the Guardia di Finanza, recognized the scheme and alerted his colleagues.

Additionally, in Buttrio, Italy, police arrested two individuals who posed as law enforcement to rob a woman of approximately 60,000 euros worth of jewelry and cash. The stolen items, including high-value watches, were subsequently recovered.