Rome police charge two men in 11,000-euro gaming console scam

Two men, aged 22 and 71, residing in the province of Naples, have been reported to the Rome Prosecutor's Office following an online gaming console scam that defrauded a victim and his mother of 11,000 euros.

The investigation by the Carabinieri of the Roma Piazza Bologna station began after a young man in Rome responded to an e-commerce advertisement for a rare gaming console priced at 199 euros. After initial contact, the seller moved the conversation to a private phone number, where they allegedly cited various technical issues to induce the victim into making multiple instant bank transfers over several months.

The scam extended to the victim's mother, who was persuaded to make additional payments to a second bank account held by the 71-year-old man, who was falsely presented as the 22-year-old's grandfather. Financial and digital forensics conducted by the Carabinieri traced the money through bank accounts and prepaid cards back to the two suspects.