An 81-year-old pensioner in Senorbì experienced a scary moment yesterday afternoon after falling victim to the increasingly widespread fake policeman scam . The scam was foiled, however, by the quick thinking of a truly special neighbor : a retired policeman , who immediately spotted the scam and nipped it in the bud.

The woman received a call on her home phone from a man posing as a Carabinieri officer, telling her that her son had been involved in a serious car accident and was being held at the barracks. To avoid legal consequences and secure his immediate release, the self-proclaimed Carabiniere demanded a €20,000 bail. Shortly thereafter, while the elderly woman was still reeling from the news, a second man showed up at her home, identifying himself as the lawyer assigned to collect the money or any jewelry. Extremely distressed, the woman decided to seek help from her neighbor.

The experience gained through years of service allowed the retired Carabinieri officer to immediately recognize the attempted scam. The man then approached the door in place of the elderly woman. Realizing he had been discovered, the scammer fled on foot through the streets of the village, managing to disappear before a patrol arrived. The Carabinieri of the Senorbì station are currently investigating to identify the perpetrators.

(Unioneonline/vf)