Naples Tenant and ‘Lookalike’ Accomplice Sell Apartment Without Owner’s Knowledge: An Investigative Report
In a bizarre tale that echoes the plot of the classic Italian film ‘Totò Truffa ’62’, a sophisticated real estate scam has been uncovered in Naples. An apartment in the Fuorigrotta district, just steps from the Maradona stadium, was sold to unsuspecting buyers by a tenant and his remarkably similar-looking accomplice, all without the legitimate owner’s knowledge. This audacious fraud, which saw cloned documents, a regular deed, and cashed checks, culminated in a dramatic sting operation by undercover Carabinieri, leading to the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.
The Elaborate Scheme: From Renovation Request to Illegal Sale
The rightful owner, a 79-year-old man residing in Chiaia, had rented out his Fuorigrotta apartment to a 44-year-old Neapolitan man since 2022. According to initial findings, the tenant had been regularly paying his rent. The deception began when the tenant requested permission from the landlord to carry out some renovation work. With the owner’s consent, he obtained the necessary apartment documentation, cadastral data, and a copy of the owner’s identity document. It was at this point that the intricate fraud began to take shape.
Investigations suggest that the 44-year-old tenant then enlisted a 71-year-old accomplice who bore an astonishing resemblance to the true owner. This lookalike was assigned the role of the seller, while the 79-year-old’s identity card was cloned. The apartment was then put on the market, and it wasn’t long before two interested buyers emerged. Following several viewings and swift negotiations, the price was set at 145,000 euros – seemingly a bargain.
A Notary Deceived, a Nephew’s Suspicion, and a Dramatic Arrest
The sale proceeded smoothly, even navigating the critical moment of the deed signing. At the notary’s office, the parties met, and the buyers handed over checks totaling 95,000 euros to the fake owner. The remaining balance of 50,000 euros was due in the following days. The property was duly registered in the buyers’ names, and the change was even reflected in the land registry. Everything appeared to be in order.
However, a crucial detail was amiss. The 79-year-old owner’s nephew, discussing the tenant’s renovation request with his uncle, grew suspicious when he realized that all the apartment’s documentation had fallen into the tenant’s hands. A cadastral check was immediately initiated, revealing a shocking discovery: the apartment was no longer registered to his uncle but had been transferred via a notarized act just days prior.
The notary, contacted by the family, realized he had also been duped and promptly reported the incident to the Carabinieri at the Chiaia station. He informed the military that the final payment meeting was scheduled to take place shortly. This appointment then became a meticulously planned trap.
On the designated day, two new “collaborators” arrived at the notary’s office: they were, in fact, undercover Carabinieri. When the alleged sellers appeared to collect the final 50,000 euros, the charade abruptly ended. They were immediately apprehended.
The Aftermath: Arrests and Seizures
During the subsequent searches, three mobile phones, notes, notary documentation, credit cards, a bank check, and two fake identity cards were seized. Pasquale Presutto, 44, and Nicola Criscuolo, 71, were arrested. Both have been placed under house arrest pending trial.
Unanswered Questions and Broader Implications
This case raises serious questions about the vulnerabilities within the real estate system and the ease with which such an elaborate fraud could be executed. How thoroughly are identity documents verified during property transactions? What safeguards are in place to prevent the impersonation of property owners? The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and more robust verification processes to protect property owners and buyers from sophisticated criminal enterprises.
While the immediate perpetrators have been apprehended, the deeper systemic issues that allowed this fraud to unfold remain a subject of concern. The case underscores the importance of property owners maintaining strict control over their documents and being wary of requests that might compromise their security.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details may yet emerge. For now, the streets of Naples are left to ponder how a real-life ‘Totò Truffa’ managed to almost pull off such a brazen act of deception.
