# Police raids intensify against organized crime > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-police-dismantle-several-scams-targeting-seniors-with-fake-carabinieri-impersonations > Updated: 2026-07-31T12:12:15.000Z. Sources: 142. Developments: 25. The multi‑agency crackdown that began in early June 2024 expanded across northern and central Italy, targeting organized crime, drug trafficking and fraud. Initial operations in Sora, Savona, Modena and Udine were followed by a July 18 coordinated patrol in Genoa’s historic centre, involving police, maritime units, the financial guard, the army and a canine team; officers seized 8 g of hashish, made several arrests for drug, weapon and theft offences, and disrupted fraud schemes such as the “mirror scam” in Messina and telephone scams aimed at seniors. An anti‑fraud campaign launched by Treviso on July 31 focused on protecting elderly citizens. In July 2026 the effort broadened to a nationwide anti‑scam drive for seniors. Police in Siracusa halted three fraud attempts, including a case where an 83‑year‑old lost €30 000 in jewellery, while officers in Latina prevented a €98 000 bank‑transfer scheme. Treviso’s “Fidarsi è bene… ma in sicurezza” programme provides public information and urges victims to call 112. The same year, anti‑drug operations continued in the Marche and Lazio regions. Carabinieri arrested a 19‑year‑old Egyptian in Cassino after seizing 46 g of hashish and cash, and detained a scooter rider in San Severino who had two grams of hashish and was charged with traffic violations. These actions illustrate the sustained, multi‑layered police response to organised crime, drug markets and senior‑targeted fraud across Italy. ## Claims - Italian police have launched new initiatives to combat scams targeting elderly people. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Police advise citizens to call emergency number 112 if they suspect a scam. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The anti‑scam efforts are part of ongoing campaigns across the province to raise awareness. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Treviso municipality launched a campaign “Fidarsi è bene… ma in sicurezza” funded by the Interior Ministry and the Prefecture of Treviso. (single source) - The Treviso campaign includes public meetings, informational material and advice to avoid scams. (single source) - In Siracusa, police intervened in two attempted scams on women aged 95 and 83, preventing loss. (single source) - A third victim in Siracusa was defrauded of jewellery worth about €30,000. (single source) - Siracusa police are conducting investigations to identify the perpetrators of the scams. (single source) - Police intervened in Siracusa to stop two attempted scams on women aged 95 and 83. (single source) - Police in Latina stopped a €98,000 fraudulent bank transfer targeting an elderly woman. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Italian police arrest youths for drug offenses in San Severino and Cassino Italian police seized hashish and arrested youths in San Severino after a drug‑influenced scooter crash and in Cassino during a street drug deal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-police-arrest-youths-for-drug-offenses-in-san-severino-and-cassino ### 2026-07-30: Italian police launch new initiatives to curb scams targeting seniors Italian police and Carabinieri boost anti‑fraud actions for seniors, with campaigns, community meetings, arrests and warnings after multiple scams across cities like Treviso, Formia, Catania, Siracusa and Latna 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/treviso-launches-antifraud-campaign-for-seniors ### 2026-07-18: Genoa police conduct joint patrols, arrest three suspects in city‑wide crackdown Joint police‑army patrols in Genoa seized hashish and led to arrests of a Senegalese drug suspect, a 40‑year‑old Italian on a prison order, a 20‑year‑old Algerian for attempted theft, and a 54‑year‑old Italian 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/genoa-police-conduct-joint-patrols-arrest-three-suspects-in-citywide-crackdown ### 2026-07-16: Italy warns of growing scams targeting drivers and seniors Italian officials warn of mirror‑collision scams in Messina and widespread fraud targeting seniors, urging victims to refuse cash payments and report incidents to police. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-warns-of-growing-scams-targeting-drivers-and-seniors ### 2026-07-07: Italian police launch intensive raids in Sora and Savona Italian police conducted large‑scale raids in Sora, charging a man with receiving a stolen scooter, and in Savona, making two arrests and four denunciations for assault, drug and weapon offenses. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-police-launch-intensive-raids-in-sora-and-savona ### 2026-07-07: Italian towns launch campaign to protect seniors from scams Livorno launches a municipality‑backed campaign to shield seniors from fraud, while Basilicata’s regional councilor urges stronger actions against online scams targeting the elderly. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-towns-launch-campaign-to-protect-seniors-from-scams ### 2026-06-29: Italian authorities seize 162 properties in Teverola over €30 million illegal lotting scheme Carabinieri seized 162 homes and commercial units in Teverola, Italy, valued at €30 million, after a probe uncovered an illegal lot‑splitting scheme involving local builders and officials. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-authorities-seize-162-properties-in-teverola-over-30-million-illegal-lotting-scheme ### 2026-06-26: Italian police launch sweeping raids against crime in multiple towns Italian police and Carabinieri carried out numerous raids across towns, arresting suspects for drug trafficking, theft, extortion, illegal weapons and financial fraud, while the Guardia di Finanza reported evad 71 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-women-in-calabria-placed-under-precautionary-measures-for-fraudulent-caregiver-theft ### 2026-06-25: Italian seniors receive free digital literacy courses in Alta Irpinia and Salerno Free digital‑literacy courses for seniors started in Alta Irpinia and Salerno, teaching smartphone use, online services and fraud safety, with over 30 participants completing the programmes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-seniors-receive-free-digital-literacy-courses-in-alta-irpinia-and-salerno ### 2026-06-25: Sciacca Court Sentences Men for Fraud Attempt and Street Vendor Extortion Sciacca court sentenced two men: one for an attempted fraud on an elderly woman, the other for extorting a street vendor with threats. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sciacca-court-sentences-men-for-fraud-attempt-and-street-vendor-extortion ### 2026-06-23: Italian seniors adopt digital apps to combat fraud and use postal services Italian seniors are using the MyNino app to learn digital skills and avoid fraud, while over 350 over‑80s in Carbonia regularly use Poste Italiane’s “App P” for banking and postal services. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-seniors-adopt-digital-apps-to-combat-fraud-and-use-postal-services ### 2026-06-18: Italian municipalities launch anti‑scam drives as fraud targeting seniors spreads Italian towns warn seniors about rising scams: fake police calls in Montefredane, impersonated utility workers in Rogeno, SMS traffic‑fine phishing in Bologna, and public anti‑fraud meetings in Massafra. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-towns-launch-antiscam-campaigns-to-protect-senior-citizens ### 2026-06-16: Sicilian woman posing as carabiniere arrested for jewelry fraud and assault in Palermo A 50‑year‑old Sicilian woman pretended to be a carabiniere, scammed an 88‑year‑old in Palermo out of €3,500 in jewellery and assaulted her grandson; she was arrested and detained. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sicilian-woman-posing-as-carabiniere-arrested-for-jewelry-fraud-and-assault-in-palermo ### 2026-06-13: Vicenza police arrest fake marshal in gold jewelry fraud Italian police in Vicenza arrested a 34‑year‑old Campania native on 12 June 2026 for a fake marshal scam that stole gold jewellery and cash from an elderly woman; the loot was recovered and returned. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vicenza-police-arrest-fake-marshal-in-gold-jewelry-fraud ### 2026-06-12: Carabinieri alert seniors to scams in Testa dell'Acqua, Sicily Carabinieri warned seniors in Testa dell’Acqua about common fraud tactics, urging them to call 112 and avoid giving money to strangers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carabinieri-alert-seniors-to-scams-in-testa-dellacqua-sicily ### 2026-06-11: Messina fake Carabiniere scam leads to arrests Messinese police arrested a man and a Romanian woman who posed as a Carabiniere to defraud an 82‑year‑old woman of her jewelry, after the victim’s husband intervened and alerted authorities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ragusa-police-bust-fake-finance-officer-scheme-targeting-elderly ### 2026-06-10: Guardia di Finanza busts impostor fraudster in Ragusa, Italy A Belpasso man impersonating a Guardia di Finanza officer was arrested in Ragusa for trying to steal jewelry and cash from an elderly woman; a second conspirator in Catania was also charged. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guardia-di-finanza-busts-impostor-fraudster-in-ragusa-italy ### 2026-06-08: 45-year-old detained for posing as magistrate in fraud targeting Messina pensioner A 45‑year‑old from Siracusa was arrested after posing as a magistrate and coaxing a 77‑year‑old Messina pensioner to hand over €2,000 and gold rings; he was caught near the Roccalumera toll and placed under a 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/45-year-old-detained-for-posing-as-magistrate-in-fraud-targeting-messina-pensioner ### 2026-06-06: Messina pensioner fraud scheme busted by Carabinieri Carabinieri arrested a 45‑year‑old fraudster who pretended to be a magistrate and duped a 77‑year‑old Messina pensioner out of cash and jewellery, emphasizing the need to verify suspicious calls. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messina-pensioner-fraud-scheme-busted-by-carabinieri ### 2026-05-26: Fake police scam in San Gemini leads to arrest of Tunisian suspect In San Gemini, Italy, police stopped a fake‑police scam that stole €3,500 in gold and €300 cash from a 77‑year‑old woman; a Tunisian man was arrested and a 17‑year‑old minor charged. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fake-police-scam-in-san-gemini-leads-to-arrest-of-tunisian-suspect ### 2026-05-25: Caltanissetta Carabinieri and Doctors Launch Elderly Fraud Prevention Campaign Caltanissetta's Carabinieri teamed with the medical order to distribute a self‑help guide on senior fraud prevention through 200 doctors, printing 30,000 pamphlets after a prior 100,000‑leaflet pharmacy effort. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/caltanissetta-carabinieri-and-doctors-launch-elderly-fraud-prevention-campaign ### 2026-05-24: Carabinieri arrest fraudsters targeting 85‑year‑old in Città di Castello Carabinieri in Città di Castello arrested a 43‑year‑old fraudster who pretended to be police to swindle an 85‑year‑old pensioner; a 20‑year‑old accomplice was released. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carabinieri-arrest-fraudsters-targeting-85yearold-in-citt-di-castello ### 2026-05-23: Florence police arrest 23‑year‑old for impersonating finance guard and attempting gold fraud on elderly In Florence, a 23‑year‑old woman was arrested for posing as a finance guard and trying to obtain gold from an 84‑year‑old, receiving a ban from Tuscany and facing fraud charges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florence-police-arrest-23yearold-for-impersonating-finance-guard-and-attempting-gold-fraud-on-elderl ### 2026-05-22: Catania Man Arrested for Fraud on Elderly Using Fake Carabinieri Ruse A 23‑year‑old Catania resident was arrested in Sicily for defrauding an elderly woman by pretending to be a Carabinieri marshal, taking jewelry worth over €5,000; he is now in custody. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-man-arrested-for-fraud-on-elderly-using-fake-carabinieri-ruse ### 2026-05-20: Italian police crack down on telephone scams targeting seniors Italian Carabinieri dismantled several phone‑scam rings that preyed on seniors, recovering cash and jewellery and arresting suspects across the country. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ischia-carabinieri-arrest-two-egyptian-youths-in-7000-fraud-of-87yearold --- Cite as: Police raids intensify against organized crime. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-police-dismantle-several-scams-targeting-seniors-with-fake-carabinieri-impersonations