Italian wheelchair fraud case: 50‑year‑old caught walking on video

A 50‑year‑old man from Trinitapoli in the province of Barletta‑Andria‑Trani was declared totally disabled in 2007 and has received a civil disability pension and an accompaniment allowance for nearly two decades. The Guardia di Finanza opened an investigation after a video posted on a social platform showed the man walking unaided, contrary to his claim of total immobility. Investigators said the man “appeared to walk upright without support.”

The finance police coordinated the probe with the public prosecutor in Foggia and have charged the suspect with aggravated fraud, alleging a loss of about €200,000 to the state. Immediate steps were taken to halt further disbursement of benefits and to recover the sums obtained fraudulently. The case has been referred to the regional Court of Auditors for possible fiscal responsibility charges.