In a sweeping operation at dawn, Italian authorities arrested 15 individuals and investigated 22 others involved in a nationwide scam targeting the elderly.

The criminal network, based between Caivano and Naples, used various disguises, such as fake police officers and postal directors, to deceive victims, often elderly and vulnerable.

The gang's leaders, identified as Giuseppe Esposito, Antonio Giordano, Umberto Paduano, and Emmanuele D’Ercole, orchestrated the scams from different locations to avoid detection.

The operation, led by the Carabinieri of Caivano, revealed the gang's extensive reach across Italy, from Naples to Milan.

Prosecutor Maria Antonietta Troncone highlighted the insidious nature of these crimes, emphasizing the need for stronger legislative measures to protect the elderly from such organized criminal activities.