Two 36 and 46 -year -old men, both originally from the Catania area, were arrested by the Carabinieri of the Compagnia di Patti on charges of aggravated fraud, resistance and injury to public officials. The two, according to the reconstructions of the investigators, would have implemented the now sadly known scam of the “Fake carabiniere”against an old woman resident in the Tyrrhenian town.
The victim had been contacted by telephone by one of the criminals, who, pretending to be belonging to the police, had told her that some of his family members had been held in the barracks for alleged judicial events. Hence the request for an immediate deposit to be paid in money or precious to obtain their release.
The timely intervention of the military of the Operational Unit and the Stations of Patti, Raccuja and Gioiosa Marea made it possible to block one of the two scammers near the elderly house. The man was found in possession of numerous jewels – rings, bracelets, earrings – and 1,950 euros in casheverything stolen shortly before to the woman.
The accomplice, who awaited aboard a very distant car, in an attempt to escape, invested a carabiniere, who was injured. After abandoning the vehicle, he fled on foot but was tracked down shortly afterwards inside an abandoned building, thanks to the collaboration between Patti’s Arma and Police Commissioner.
One of the two was transferred to the Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto prison, the other was placed under house arrest, at the disposal of the judicial authority.
The operation is part of the contrasting activities carried out by the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Messina to stem the phenomenon of scams to the elderly: only in 2024 16 people were arrested thanks to a careful control and investigation in the area.
Meanwhile, the information campaigns promoted by the weapon in parishes, elderly centers and through the media, with the aim of raising awareness of citizenship and preventing similar episodes also continue. “It is essential to remember – reiterate the carabinieri – that the police forces never require money or precious objects for alleged deposit. In the event of suspicions, you must immediately call 112”.