ANCONA – Four out of nine reported scams targeting the elderly, employing the ‘fake marshal’ technique, have been uncovered by the Naples mobile squad in the Marche region. These incidents occurred in Fano, Falconara, Amandola, and Fossombrone. Five of the seven individuals arrested, all from Campania, allegedly defrauded four women, three of whom were elderly, ranging from 72 to 84 years old. They were contacted and visited at home by accomplices of the organization’s two leaders, within a few days of each other, between December 2024 and January 2025.
The “Fake Marshal” Scheme: How It Operated
In the province of Ancona, a 77-year-old woman in Falconara fell victim to the gang, accused of criminal association aimed at defrauding the elderly. On December 27, 2024, the woman received a call from a fake marshal claiming her son had been in a serious car accident and needed to pay the other party immediately to avoid prison. The elderly woman handed over gold and jewelry to one of the seven arrested individuals, who had been specifically recruited for the trip.
The first victim was a 72-year-old woman in Fano on December 11, 2024. She received a call at home stating that her husband had been in a serious car accident and would be arrested if compensation was not paid to the victim. The woman prepared her precious belongings and handed over 110 grams of gold. On December 30, a younger woman in Amandola was targeted, with the criminal group making her believe her sister had been in an accident and damages needed to be paid. In this case, she also handed over gold worth several thousand euros. The last incident was an attempted fraud in Fossombrone, which was never completed. It dates back to January 4, 2025, with an 84-year-old victim who was told she had to pay for a car accident involving her son.
“Cavallini” and the Organization’s Structure
The group operated through “cavallini” (little horses), accomplices specially recruited for trips outside Naples. They were paid for fuel, rental cars, and hotels, and were also provided with telephone cards obtained from non-EU citizens to make calls. The “cavallini” directly interacted with the victims, who, in good faith, opened their doors and handed over their valuables, falling for the fabricated car accident stories. The organization was allegedly led by two 35-year-old Neapolitans. They recruited the other members, assigning them tasks and roles. Once the accomplices collected the gold from the unsuspecting elderly, the leaders took possession of the stolen goods. Sometimes, they also acted as phone operators, calling victims and impersonating lawyers or carabinieri.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The arrests were made at the request of prosecutor Nicola Gratteri. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify any other potential victims or accomplices. The police emphasize the importance of vigilance and urge the public, especially the elderly, to be wary of such scams and to report any suspicious calls or visits to the authorities.
This operation highlights the persistent threat of fraud targeting vulnerable individuals and the sophisticated methods employed by criminal organizations. Law enforcement agencies continue to work diligently to combat these crimes and protect citizens from exploitation.
