The Padua Police Headquarters dismantled a criminal organization involved in fraud and extortion against the elderly: 11 precautionary measures were carried out in the Veneto and Campania regions.

La State Police of Padua has dismantled, between Veneto and Campania, a criminal organization aimed at extortion and fraud against the elderly throughout the national territory.

At the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Padua, ordered by the GIP of the Euganean Tribunal, 11 precautionary measures carried out by the Flying Squad of the Padua Police Headquarters.

Il blitz it took place at 4am on Friday, November 28th 100 policemen of the Police Headquarters of Padua, in collaboration with colleagues from the Flying Squad of Naples, who in the capital of Naples and throughout the Campania region have carried out precautionary measures against as many individuals belonging to the criminal association having as its the main promoter is a 32-year-old with a criminal record, belonging to a well-known Camorra clan operating in the “Forcella District”, with previous convictions for Mafia-style criminal association, property crimes, narcotics, attempted murder, recipient of precautionary custody order in prison.

Due the precautionary custody measures in prison while for other 9 precautionary measures were carried out, requiring him to remain at home and to report to the judicial police on a daily basis.

There are four organizers of the criminal association, among them a 22 year old woman, a woman with a criminal record for property crimes and subject to a custodial remand order, as well as two young people , both with criminal records for property crimes.

Others 10 components of the organization, all of Campanian origin, held the role of participants to the association, with residence obligations, reporting obligations or under investigation at large.

For all the charges are of criminal association aimed at the completion of extortion and fraud using the fake marshal or fake lawyer technique to the detriment of elderly and frail people.

During the investigation, the following were found: 15 criminal episodes committed in Northern and Central Italy.
Recovered and returned to the victims stolen goods worth over 400.000 euros between cash, jewels and valuables.

In the province of Padua in 2025, crimes were committed 671 crimes of "fraud against the elderly", Of which 258 in the capital, with an illicit profit estimated at about 5 million euro.

The investigation began in 2024 and revealed a well-structured criminal organization with a representative of Campania's organized crime at the helm.

The association operated with a “switchboard” in Naples, where telephone operators contacted the victims, and a network of “tax collectors” sent to various cities to collect the proceeds.

Il modus operandi It involved the victim being contacted by telephone by a stranger who introduced himself as marshal o lawyer, reporting that a family member had caused an accident and that it was necessary to pay a bail To avoid legal consequences, the victims, panicking, handed over their money and valuables to the debt collectors who arrived at their homes shortly thereafter.

The investigative activity, conducted through wiretaps, shadowing, analysis of records and videos, has allowed us to identify those responsible and demonstrate the existence of a stable hierarchical structure, with specific roles and systematic profits deriving from crimes.

Overall between 2024 and 2025 the Padua Flying Squad has arrested 21 people e 16 others investigated, all residents of the Naples area.