This time, it was fake financial police officers who took action. Using their tried-and-tested technique of home inspections and searches, they managed to deceive and rob an elderly couple from Paulilatino. Jewelry and €400 in cash were stolen from the home. The Carabinieri were immediately notified, and the criminals are said to have already been identified.
The incident occurred a few days ago when a self-styled Guardia di Finanza soldier, wearing his uniform, showed up at the home of an eighty-year-old couple claiming their credit card had been cloned. To resolve the issue, the fake police officer suggested the husband go to an office in Nuoro , and the elderly man promptly set off. Shortly thereafter, taking advantage of the husband's absence, two other accomplices rang the doorbell and, under the pretext of carrying out further checks, asked to verify the presence of all the valuables and gold objects in the house. While the elderly woman was showing off the jewelry, kept in a box, she was apparently distracted by a phone call (from the other scammer) , giving the fake police officer plenty of time to make off with the jewelry and money.
Only when the two had left did the woman realise that she had been defrauded and robbed and at that point she alerted her husband and the police.
Mayor Domenico Gallus issued a Facebook video appeal to residents to exercise utmost caution. "If a person in uniform shows up at your home, do not let them in. Ask for their full name and verify their identity by calling law enforcement."
Two days ago, a burglary occurred at the home of an elderly person in Solarussa. The pensioner's wallet, which also contained his ATM card and PIN, was stolen. The thief managed to make several withdrawals and purchases with the card before it was blocked. The Carabinieri are also investigating this case.
