Carabinieri Major Operation: Network of Fraudsters Specializing in Defrauding the Elderly Busted

An operation coordinated by the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Genoa led to the arrest of 29 people accused of being part of a criminal organization dedicated to scams against the elderly. The operation, called “2 OCTOBER” in honor of Grandparents' Day, took place between Naples, its hinterland, Turin and Caserta, involving over 150 Carabinieri from the Provincial Commands of Genoa, Naples, Turin and Caserta.

A structured and well-rooted organization

The investigations, conducted by the Operations Department - Investigative Unit of Genoa and coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Genoa, have allowed the identification of an organized criminal structure headed by Alberto Macor and Marica Mastroianni, both with specific precedents. The group operated throughout the national territory, divided into operational batteries, whose members helped each other to carry out the scams.

The investigation highlighted the commission of 54 episodes of aggravated fraud between April 2022 and March 2024, of which 45 were successful and 9 attempted, for an illicit gain of more than 700.000 euros. During the investigation, the Carabinieri arrested 20 people and reported 4 others, managing to foil 13 attempted fraud and recover part of the loot, including money and gold jewelry, for a value of approximately 90.000 euros.

The modus operandi: a well-tested deception

The method used by the scammers always followed the same pattern. The victims, all elderly people, were contacted by telephone by individuals who pretended to be Carabinieri Marshals or lawyers. In an alarmed tone, they reported to the victim that a close relative (usually a child or grandchild) had caused a serious car accident, with dramatic consequences for the other party. To avoid the arrest of their loved one, the criminals convinced the elderly person to immediately hand over a sum of money or valuables as bail.

Once the victim's trust was gained, the fake Marshal or lawyer informed them that a representative would come to collect the money at home. In the meantime, the scammer on the phone entertained the victim without interruption, preventing them from contacting family members or friends who could have exposed the deception and notified the police.

A capillary logistics organization

The organization, in addition to planning and carrying out the scams, also took care of the logistics down to the smallest detail. The criminals operated from actual call centers set up in homes and bed & breakfasts, from which they made the calls. The group recruited specific operational roles: the "telephone operators" in charge of contacting the victims and the "travelers" who physically went to collect the money.

Macor and Mastroianni identified the areas to hit and planned the stay of the travelers, who left Naples on Sunday evening to stay on the road until Saturday. For travel, the criminals used trains, taxis and rental cars provided by compliant agencies. Communications took place exclusively via old-generation cell phones with SIM cards registered to untraceable individuals or “blockheads” and via encrypted messaging apps.

Identifying the victims

Before starting a scam, the criminals made “screen calls,” which were very short phone calls to landlines in selected areas to check whether elderly people answered. This task was entrusted to two members of the organization, Vittorio De Filippo and Gabriele Fabiano. If the voice on the phone was compatible with an elderly victim, the number was passed on to the promoters of the scam, who implemented the fake accident scheme.

A language of a criminal organization

The members of the criminal network referred to themselves with terms typical of the mafia slang. The organization was called “squadra” or “paranza” (a term that indicates a criminal group), while the leaders were called “la boss” and “'o Mast” (the boss). This terminology confirms the hierarchical structure and the well-defined organization of the gang.

The importance of prevention and information

Operation “2 OCTOBER” represents a significant blow to criminal networks that profit from the vulnerability of the elderly. The Carabinieri urge the population to be extremely careful and to be wary of suspicious phone calls. In case of doubt, it is always advisable to contact the emergency numbers of the police directly and notify family members or neighbors.

With this operation, justice has dealt a severe blow to a well-established network of fraudsters, restoring greater security to the community and demonstrating once again the effectiveness of law enforcement in the fight against crime.