Sorrento police arrest man for impersonating court expert in elderly scam

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Sorrento, Italy, after attempting to defraud an elderly woman and her son using a sophisticated impersonation scam.

The suspect allegedly posed as a Carabinieri marshal over the telephone, claiming that the victim's vehicle had been used in a robbery. He instructed the 68-year-old son to prepare cash and jewelry to compare against stolen items. The victims gathered 2,500 euros in cash, several bracelets, necklaces, and a family heirloom ring.

The scam escalated when the imposter claimed a court expert would arrive to collect the items. The fraud was intercepted when the victim's son-in-law realized the situation and contacted the actual authorities. Carabinieri officers were waiting at the residence when the suspect arrived, leading to his immediate arrest. The individual faces charges of aggravated fraud and has been placed under house arrest pending legal proceedings.