FALCONARA The escape had lasted a few hours: the time to defraud a 94-year-old grandmother and her carer, take the train and get off at the Bologna station. Here the Polfer agents, during a check, had found 700 euros in cash on him and, in his cell phone, suspicious photos: they were those taken of the necklaces, wedding rings and gold jewelery stolen from the old woman, who evidently had handed over to an accomplice (never found again). A complaint was filed against the impostor, a 23-year-old Neapolitan who was later recognized by the victim. And now the prosecutor Rosario Lioniello has closed the investigation against the young man, accused of aggravated fraud. A professional in the sector, considering the slew of precedents.
INSIGHTS
The scam
The scam was carried out last May 8th in Falconara with one of the most used excuses: the nephew got into trouble, arrested in the barracks and in need of money to be released. With this story, the 23-year-old and his accomplice managed to panic the elderly woman, who was left alone in the house that morning. Shortly before, in fact, one of the two had called the 94-year-old on the landline, posing as her nephew and asking to speak to the caregiver. “There’s an urgent registered letter to collect from the post office, can you please drop by?” he asked her, asking for her cell phone number. And while he convinced her to go out, despite the lunch on the fire, always keeping her on the phone, his accomplice called the landline again to convince the old woman to prepare the loot.
“Grandma, it’s me again, I got into trouble: I need money, I’m in the barracks.” The heart cannot be commanded. The old woman, scared and forced to remain glued to the receiver, immediately prepared everything needed for the “bail” necessary to free her nephew (an institution that does not exist in Italy): a thousand euros in cash, a ring with a precious stone , wedding rings and a gold medallion that belonged to her late husband. Shortly afterwards a young man showed up at the house to take money and jewels and left.
When the caregiver returned home, it was too late. But thanks to the complaint filed with the police the same day, it was possible to trace at least one of the two scammers on the run. The collaboration with the railway police was decisive as they subjected the 23-year-old Neapolitan to a check at the Bologna station a few hours later. Following a search he was found with 700 euros in his wallet and photos of the jewels on his cell phone. The money was seized and returned to the old woman the next day. The memories of her husband, however, have disappeared forever into thin air. The investigations have now been closed for the young impostor. The magistrate will decide whether to send him to trial.
