Thefts from the elderly using the "fake Carabiniere" technique: 21 precautionary measures Milano.

A criminal organization involved in theft, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering worth over €2,5 million has been uncovered. A 96-year-old woman was also implicated.

A structured criminal organisation, specialising in home burglaries to the detriment of elderly and vulnerable people, has been dismantled by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Milano at the end of a long and complex investigative activity. On December 11th, by order of the investigating judge of the Court of Milano, precautionary measures have been carried out against 21 subjects, accused in various capacities of criminal conspiracy aimed at committing theft, receiving stolen goods, money laundering, and self-laundering.

In detail, one suspect was already detained for another case, six were transferred to prison, nine placed under house arrest e five to the obligation to remain in residenceThe measure is the result of the operation called “Other World”, conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri of Milano and coordinated by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office.

The "Altro Mondo" investigation and the alarm over property crimes

The investigations began in 2023, in response to a worrying upsurge in property crimes, in particular thefts, robberies and frauds, committed mainly against elderly people. At the centre of the investigation is the spread of the technique of “fake Carabiniere”, a modus operandi that is particularly insidious and traumatizing for the victims.

According to what was reconstructed by the investigators, the criminals identified lonely elderly people, often caught on their way home, and presented themselves as members of the police force. Wearing counterfeit distinctive signs and using reassuring language, they managed to gain the trust of the victims, gain access to their homes and rob them in a few minutes, taking advantage of the state of confusion and vulnerability.

A structured organization based in Muggiano

The investigative activity – conducted through wiretaps, shadowing, technical and traditional analyses, as well as thanks to a close international police and judicial cooperation – has allowed us to identify a synthetic matrix group, equipped with a real operational base in the Muggiano district, on the western outskirts of Milano.

The association was not limited to committing thefts, but also managed a complex system of receiving and recycling, even beyond the border. Investigators have reconstructed 12 incidents of theft, Of which 10 made with the fake Carabiniere technique, Besides 15 episodes of receiving stolen goods, 8 of recycling e 2 of self-laundering, which occurred between Italy, Switzerland and Belgium.

Jewels and valuables recycled abroad with a camper

The system used to transfer the stolen goods is particularly significant. The suspects, on several occasions, allegedly used a camper as a means of cover to transport abroad large quantities of jewels and precious items of criminal origin. The goods were then introduced into the legal circuit thanks to the complicity of complacent jewelers and gold buyers, thus enabling money laundering.

The overall value of the goods illegally acquired in the context of the contested facts was estimated at about 2,5 million euro, a figure that testifies to the high level of organization and continuity of criminal activities.

Among those under investigation is also a 96-year-old woman

Among those under house arrest is also a 96 year old woman, of Sinti origin, believed by investigators founder and central figure of the groupAccording to the prosecution, the woman would have actively participated in numerous episodes of receiving stolen goods and would have had the task of monitor the logistics base of Muggiano, playing a liaison role within the organization.

Seizures in Italy and Switzerland: cash, gold, and weapons

During the searches, which were also carried out in Switzerland with the support ofFederal Office of Customs and Border Security, the Carabinieri have seized approximately 43 thousand euros in cash, Numerous luxury watches, gold bars, bags and precious jewels, Besides radio transmitters, scanner for detecting bugs e two blank pistols.

They had already been seized in the previous stages of the investigation. 15.000 euros in cash, jewelry, handbags and luxury watches for a total value of approximately EUR 500.000, as well as one gun loaded with blanks, found inside a hiding place created in a false ceiling of a dwelling.

More arrests for aggravated thefts in several provinces

The investigation also led to the arrest of two Italian men, aged 30 and 44, recipients of a precautionary custody order in prison. The two are considered seriously suspected of multiple incidents of aggravated home burglary, committed between the June 6 and July 14, 2023 in the provinces of Milano, Monza Brianza and Livorno, always to the detriment of elderly people.