Five Arrested for Elderly Scams in Rome and Livorno: Organized Group Stole Approximately €100,000
Rome, April 29, 2026 – Five men, aged between 29 and 73, originating from the province of Naples, have been placed under pre-trial detention. They are seriously suspected, in various capacities, of the crimes of criminal association and aggravated extortion against elderly individuals. The arrests were carried out by the Carabinieri of the Operational Unit of the Rome Trastevere Company, under the delegation of magistrates from the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rome, ‘Widespread and Serious Crime’ department.
The warrant, issued by the Ordinary Court of Rome at the request of the Capitoline Prosecutor’s Office, was executed in Naples and Casoria. One of the suspects was located in Nizza prison, France, and a European arrest warrant was issued against him.
Thirteen Incidents and Approximately €100,000 in Stolen Goods
The charges relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between October 2023 and March 2024 in the cities of Rome and Livorno. According to investigators, there are 13 alleged cases. The total value of the stolen goods, mainly family jewelry, wedding rings, and cash, amounts to approximately 100,000 euros.
The investigations, coordinated by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, began in October 2023 after a complaint from one of the victims and concluded in March 2024.
The Alleged Call Center in a Casoria Basement
According to the investigative hypothesis, the group operated through an organized system, with distinct roles among promoters, telephone operators, accountants, and emissaries. Contact with the victims allegedly originated from a so-called call center, identified in the basement of one of the suspects’ homes in Casoria.
From there, the suspects allegedly called victims on their landlines, using various stratagems. These included the ‘fake nephew in financial difficulty due to unpaid bills or a car accident’ and the ‘fake law enforcement officer.’
Victims Over Sixty-Five, Often Vulnerable
The targeted individuals were all over sixty-five years old. According to investigators, in several cases, these were elderly people with pathologies or physical conditions that limited their ability to react and reject the demands of the scammers. After gaining the victims’ trust, the emissaries allegedly entered their homes and were handed money and jewelry.
The proceeds of the crimes were then allegedly handed over to the promoters of the association upon their return to the province of Naples and divided among the participants as compensation for the illicit activity.
Investigations Using Interceptions, Call Records, and Video Surveillance
The investigative activity of the Carabinieri involved the acquisition of telephone and telematics traffic data, the analysis of images from video surveillance systems, and interception activities. Images were acquired both near the victims’ homes and near the credit institutions where withdrawals were made.
According to the reconstruction by investigators, the collected evidence allowed for the identification of an alleged criminal association involving a total of twelve people. The remaining seven individuals will be notified of invitations for preliminary questioning regarding the crimes of criminal association and aggravated fraud.
Source: https://www.lacapitale.it/articolo/truffe-anziani-roma-livorno-arresti-napoli-casoria
