Cagliari: Online and Phone Scams Steal Over €53,000 in a Month, Nine Suspects Identified

Cagliari, Italy — The Carabinieri in Cagliari have issued a warning about a growing number of online and phone scams in the province. In the last month alone, officers have uncovered nine different scams, identified nine suspects, and dismantled a criminal ring that stole over €53,000 from victims of all ages.

In one case, an 80-year-old businessman was tricked via WhatsApp by a fake broker who promised high investment returns. The victim was guided step-by-step to transfer all his money to multiple accounts. The Carabinieri were able to trace the money and identify the accounts used.

During the same period, several people paid online for fake car insurance (RCA) policies through websites that looked like official ones. The money was sent to prepaid cards under fake names, a method increasingly used in digital fraud.

Another case involved a housewife who lost €16,000 after fake bank employees tricked her into giving access to her banking device codes. Scammers also posted fake ads online for car parts and farming equipment. Once buyers made bank transfers, the sellers vanished, leaving only inactive bank accounts behind.

In a particularly bold scam, a man responded to an art sale ad and tricked the seller in person by showing a fake mobile bank transfer. The transfer appeared real at the time, but no money was ever received.

All the scams used technology and emotional manipulation to gain victims' trust before stealing their money. The investigations were led by the Carabinieri stations of Serramanna, Quartu Sant'Elena, Selargius, San Vito, Villamar, Arbus, Fluminimaggiore, Villaputzu, and Guspini. The officers cross-checked bank data, analyzed digital footprints, and reviewed security camera footage to gather solid evidence. Their work allowed them to submit a strong case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cagliari.

To protect against scams, the Carabinieri advise the public to be very cautious about offers that seem too good to be true or promise quick profits. Before sending any money, always confirm the identity of the person through official contact details found on trusted sources.

Avoid clicking on links received by SMS or messaging apps. Instead, manually type the web address or use the official banking app. When shopping online, use certified websites and secure payment methods that offer refunds for undelivered items. Be cautious of sellers who ask for bank transfers or prepaid card top-ups.

If you have doubts or receive suspicious requests, stop all communication and contact the nearest Carabinieri station or call 112. Quick reporting can help stop scams early and reduce financial and emotional harm to victims.