Matera: the Carabinieri prevention campaign against scams targeting the elderly is starting to bear fruit

In just one morning, the Operations Centers of the Carabinieri Companies of Policoro and Pisticci received approximately 12 records found from citizens who, also as a result of the widespread information campaign carried out by the Carabinieri, reported having received a phone call shortly before from a man who, sometimes pretending to be a Carabiniere, sometimes a lawyer and resorting to various expedients, he was trying to deceive the potential victim on duty trying to convince her to collect money or valuables kept in the house to be delivered, shortly thereafter, to an accomplice who, in the simulated guise of a colleague and/or assistant of the lawyer, would show up at the victim's house.

The script, unfortunately, is always very similar, and sees the scammers build a "plot" around the victims made of tricks and deceptions aimed at convince them to hand over money or jewelry.

Among the most used stratagems in this hateful phenomenon is the one in which scammers contact the victim by introducing themselves as members of the police force or lawyers, and communicate that a relative of the unfortunate victim has been stopped (or arrested) because he caused a road accident with very serious injuries to another person, and to "release" the relative a bail in the form of money or even jewelry is needed.

The victim, at this point, gripped by panic, starts gathering everything he has in the house, with the sole thought of freeing his loved one.

It is worth repeating once again: in the Italian legal system there is no institution of bail, and a stopped or arrested person can only be released by order of the Judicial Authority.

Another element to keep in mind is that the Carabinieri and other Police Forces they never ask for payments of any kind, let alone over the phone or at home.

The numerous reports, however, are a encouraging sign: meetings in the area, useful advice, and massive communication campaigns aimed at preventing the phenomenon (including the recent one by Lino Banfi) are bearing fruit, increasing awareness among citizens of the phenomenon which, with attention, prudence and synergy, can be significantly contained.

These reports have proved to be fundamental in some recent cases, in which both in Matera and in some municipalities of the province, the Carabinieri have managed to catch the criminals red-handed recovering the stolen goods.

For some time now, the Carabinieri at a national level have taken effective initiatives to protection of vulnerable subjects, among which seniors, especially in relation to the scams: an increasingly widespread and current phenomenon, which targets fragile people, leaving indelible marks on them. In addition to the economic damage and psychological trauma of the invasion of their domestic space, the victims also suffer, in fact, the guilt of having been defrauded. The scammers they take advantage its of emotional sensitivity and physical fragility of the elderly to gain their trust, using the most disparate methods.

In this context, the Carabinieri are currently carrying out a communication campaign aimed at the part of the population most affected by this type of crime, with the aim of Strengthen prevention and increase the social reassurance functionThe testimonial of the campaign is the famous actor Lino Banfi, who, due to the profound esteem he has for the Institution and his particular sensitivity towards issues of legality, immediately showed himself available, with the great generosity that characterizes him, to cover this very important role.

The choice of the "Grandfather of Italy" was inspired by the need and desire to get even closer to the elderly, with the main aim of directly and effectively transmitting useful advice to protect oneself from scams. For this reason the actor immediately accepted the invitation of the Carabinieri.

in spot, spread on the social platforms of the Arma and in the media, Lino Banfi and the Station Commander of the neighborhood where he lives warn viewers against scams.

During a conversation with "his" Station Commander, Banfi, with his unmistakable style, talks about some of his acquaintances who have been scammed, and then leaves the scene to the Marshal of the Carabinieri who urges the public to pay maximum attention and to confidently contact the Carabinieri by calling 112. The advert also invites you to consult the website www.carabinieri.it, which illustrates the main types of scams and how to recognize them. The techniques adopted by scammers, in fact, however sneaky and imaginative, have recurring patterns: identifying them is the first step to defending yourself.

In addition to this initiative, a playbill posted in all barracks, parishes and meeting places for the elderly, as well as a Folding brochure to be distributed to citizens. In a clear and simple way, you will find advice on how to avoid being a victim of scams, including: be careful about opening the door to strangers, be wary of appearances, limit your confidence on the Internet.

The absolute protagonists of the Carabinieri's mission of social reassurance are the Carabinieri Stations, which live in the communities, representing ever-present and reliable points of reference.

And this is why the Station Commanders:

• they hold training meetings in places of worship, at municipal offices and care/recreational facilities for the elderly, with the distribution of information brochures;
• maintain contact with the directors of credit institutions and post offices, to share information on suspicious cases;
• develop collaborations with local media and institutions to raise public awareness.

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