[REVISION HISTORY]

Italy intensifies fight against fraud targeting elderly

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2026-10-31 11:13 UTC → 2026-11-01 05:34 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By late 2026, Italy had intensified its response to a wave of impersonation and digital scams targeting elderly citizens. Data from the Rimini region indicates a rising trend, with the proportion of fraud victims over 65 increasing from 15.8% in 2019 to 20.1% in 2023. In response, the Italian Ministry of the Interior allocated 4 million euros to support protection networks involving Poste Italiane and the Italian Banking Association (ABI). Criminal tactics have evolved to include sophisticated methods such as video calls, artificial intelligence to alter faces, and “spoofing” to mimic banking or police communications. Recent reports highlight a surge in “fake officer” scams. In Alba, a couple was arrested for stealing jewelry and cash by posing as law enforcement, while in Conegliano, a man was apprehended after impersonating a financial investigator to steal weapons and money. ~~The “false carabiniere” method remains~~ Newer fraudulent schemes have emerged across various regions. In Viterbo and Santa Luce, scammers use phone calls to impersonate police, sometimes claiming issues with a ~~prevalent threat, prompting~~ deceased relative’s vehicle license plate or falsely summoning residents to barracks to facilitate burglaries. Similarly, in the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula, criminals use psychological pressure, posing as lawyers or officers to claim a relative is in a legal emergency, often sending an accomplice to collect cash or jewelry. In response, the Carabinieri Company of Melito di Porto Salvo ~~to launch~~ has launched awareness initiatives ~~across~~ in several communities, including Roccaforte del ~~Greco and~~ Greco, Bova, to Bagaladi, Bova Marina, Condofuri, Lazzaro, Saline Joniche, and Melito di Porto Salvo. These efforts advise citizens ~~against handing~~ to never deliver valuables to unverified individuals. Financial institutions continue to lead prevention efforts. Bper Banca has implemented a series of four free monthly webinars led by security experts to provide practical tools for recognizing online threats. In Gallarate, Banco BPM partnered with the State Police for the “Io non ci casco!” event, which focused on the vulnerability of the over-65 population to cyber threats individuals and ~~the importance of communicating with authorities~~ to ~~protect savings.~~ verify official calls via 112.

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