The State Police informs citizens of a scam attempt recently reported in the Lamezia Terme area, inviting all citizens to pay maximum attention.
A citizen received a microfilmed SMS or apparently from the State Police with an invitation to contact a self-styled “Inspector Francesco Morelli” and to subsequently go to the Catanzaro Police Headquarters.
The discovery of the scam and the control of the house
Believing the communication to be authentic, the woman went to the Police Headquarters, where she discovered that the message was completely false and that no member of the State Police had issued any summons.
Once she returned to her home, she requested the intervention of the agents of the Flying Squad of the Public Security Commissariat of Lamezia Terme, who carried out a thorough check of the property, without finding any signs of forced entry or intrusions.
The episode suggests that the real objective of the criminals was to induce the victim to leave his home, to attempt to commit a theft by taking advantage of his absence.
The recommendations of the State Police
In case of suspicious communications it is essential:
- do not follow the instructions contained in the message;
- do not call back the telephone numbers indicated;
- always verify the veracity of the communication by contacting the State Police offices directly through the official contact details;
- immediately report similar incidents to the Single Emergency Number 112 or to the nearest police office.
The importance of prevention
The collaboration of citizens is essential to prevent this type of scam. We therefore invite you to share this information with family, friends and, in particular, with elderly people, who are often more exposed to scam attempts.
Prevention is the first defense tool: an informed citizen is a safer citizen.