Italian police launch new initiatives to curb scams targeting seniors

senior scams Italian police fraud arrests community outreach elderly protection

Police forces across Italy are intensifying efforts to protect elderly citizens from fraud. The municipality of Treviso has started a campaign against senior scams, while the Polizia di Stato organised a meeting with the Sant'Egidio community in Catania to advise seniors on how to recognise and avoid phone and in‑person fraud. In Formia, police arrested a man suspected of impersonating a relative to obtain money and jewellery from an elderly resident, recovering the stolen items. Siracusa authorities reported the foiling of two extortion attempts and a third victim being targeted. In Latina, a potential €98,000 bank transfer was intercepted as a fraud attempt. Carabinieri in Forlì also held a market‑day briefing, warning of common tactics such as fake officials, bogus legal troubles, and phishing messages, and urging victims to call 112 and never hand over cash or valuables. The coordinated actions include public leaflets, community outreach, and direct arrests, aiming to reduce the rising summer‑time surge in senior fraud cases.

Entities: Angelo Sidoti · Carabinieri · Comune di Treviso · Comune di Treviso · Dr. Roberta Corsaro · Formia Police · Guardia di Finanza · Italian Ministry of the Interior · Italian police · Mario Conte · Mayor Mario Conte · Municipality of Treviso

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] A third victim in Siracusa was defrauded of jewellery worth about €30,000. (Siracusa police)
[● 2 SOURCES] The anti‑scam efforts are part of ongoing campaigns across the province to raise awareness. (ca6a9fb4-4a2d-4a07-bbd9-3a5178cfd99a, 07e67c67-7aaf-45bb-a413-ccf233319f4d)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Treviso campaign includes public meetings, informational material and advice to avoid scams. (Treviso municipality)
[● 3 SOURCES] Police advise citizens to call emergency number 112 if they suspect a scam. (Italian police)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Siracusa police are conducting investigations to identify the perpetrators of the scams. (Siracusa police)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Siracusa, police intervened in two attempted scams on women aged 95 and 83, preventing loss. (07e67c67-7aaf-45bb-a413-ccf233319f4d)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Treviso municipality launched a campaign “Fidarsi è bene… ma in sicurezza” funded by the Interior Ministry and the Prefecture of Treviso. (Treviso municipality)
[● 3 SOURCES] Italian police have launched new initiatives to combat scams targeting elderly people. (Italian police)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police intervened in Siracusa to stop two attempted scams on women aged 95 and 83. (Siracusa police)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police in Latina stopped a €98,000 fraudulent bank transfer targeting an elderly woman. (Latina police)