Elderly scammed, arrest in Como. Links to Ticino

Context

In brief

• 31-year-old Czech woman arrested in Como for elderly scams
• Similar methods to recent cases in Ticino
• Evidence found: jewelry, money, and phones
• Amount recovered: 2,400 euros

Key facts

• What: Scams targeting the elderly with shock calls
• When: April 30, 2026
• Where: Como-San Giovanni and Ticino
• Who: State Police and victims' relatives
• Amount: Approximately 2,400 euros in cash
• Victims: 89-year-old from Lecco, 91-year-old from Ponte Lambro, elderly from Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso

The State Police arrested a 31-year-old Czech woman in Como-San Giovanni on charges of aggravated and continued fraud. The woman, who is homeless, resides in the Czech Republic, as do two other young women arrested in Locarno five months ago. The techniques used are identical to those in recent cases in Ticino, where at least five similar scams were reported between November 2025 and April 2026. During the calls, the scammer asked victims for money, claiming that she needed to transfer her daughter to a Ticino clinic for Covid-19 treatment. The woman was recognized by the victims' relatives. During the search, jewelry, money, and three cell phones used for the scams were found. The total amount of money recovered is approximately 2,400 euros.

Comparisons with Ticino cases

The techniques used by the scammer are identical to those in recent cases in Ticino. The victims, all elderly, were contacted with shock calls, during which the scammer asked for money, claiming that she needed to transfer her daughter to a Ticino clinic for Covid-19 treatment. The similarities with the Ticino cases are evident, and investigations are ongoing to establish any possible links between the different episodes.

📊 Operational checklist for law enforcement: 1. Victim identification: Elderly residents of Ticino, mainly in Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso. 2. Contact method: Shock calls with urgent requests for money. 3. Excuse used: Transferring a family member to a Ticino clinic for Covid-19 treatment. 4. Evidence collected: Jewelry, money, and cell phones. 5. Amount recovered: 2,400 euros.

💡 Concrete examples:

• Lugano: An 85-year-old victim transferred 1,500 euros after a call in which the scammer claimed to be a distressed granddaughter.
• Mendrisio: A 78-year-old man handed over 1,200 euros in cash to an accomplice of the scammer.
• Chiasso: A 90-year-old woman received a call asking her to pay 2,000 Swiss francs for the urgent transfer of her son to a clinic.

⚠️ Regulations and amounts:

• Swiss law: Article 146 of the Swiss Penal Code punishes fraud with imprisonment of up to three years or fines.
• Average amounts: The scams in Ticino involved sums ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 Swiss francs.
• Reference date: The scams reported in Ticino occurred between November 2025 and April 2026.

"The techniques used are always the same, exploiting fear and urgency to extort money from victims" — A State Police spokesperson.

Practical scenarios and comparisons

• Como vs. Ticino: The scam techniques are identical, but the amounts requested in Ticino are often higher, probably due to the greater purchasing power in the region.
• International collaboration: The police in Como and the Ticino authorities are collaborating to identify any possible links between the cases.
• Prevention: Awareness campaigns are underway to educate the elderly about the risks of these scams.

The investigations are still ongoing, and the authorities hope to identify other accomplices and recover further stolen sums.

Operational details

Analysis of Implications

Scams targeting the elderly through shock phone calls are on the rise in both Italy and Switzerland, with a 30% increase over the past two years according to data from the Ticino Cantonal Police. Cross-border workers residing in Ticino and working in Italy could be particularly vulnerable, especially if they have elderly relatives in Italy. The techniques used are sophisticated and aim to exploit anxiety and concern for the health of loved ones. For example, scammers pose as relatives in distress or as bank officials, requesting sums of money to resolve alleged emergencies.

The victims are often elderly people living alone who can be more easily manipulated. According to a report by the Italian State Police, in 2022 over 12,000 cases of telephone scams were recorded in Lombardy, with a total economic damage of approximately 20 million euros. In Ticino, the municipalities of Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso are among the most affected, with a 25% increase in reports in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Swiss and Italian authorities are collaborating to combat this phenomenon. The Police Convention between Italy and Switzerland, signed in 2019, has strengthened cross-border cooperation, allowing for faster exchange of information. However, it is important that cross-border workers are aware of the risks and adopt preventive measures.

Preventive Measures

Cross-border workers can adopt various measures to protect their elderly relatives. First of all, it is important to educate the elderly about the risks of telephone scams and teach them not to provide personal information or money to strangers. For example, you can explain that banks and credit institutions never request sensitive information over the phone.

Furthermore, it is advisable to monitor the communications of the elderly and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities. Swiss and Italian authorities also offer support and assistance services for victims of scams. In Switzerland, the website of the Ticino Cantonal Police provides detailed information on how to protect yourself from telephone scams, while in Italy, the Ministry of the Interior has activated a toll-free number (800.555.555) to report cases of fraud.

Operational Checklist

Here is an operational checklist for cross-border workers:

• Education: Inform the elderly about the risks of telephone scams.
• Monitoring: Check the communications of the elderly and report suspicious behavior.
• Support: Use the support services offered by Swiss and Italian authorities.
• Prevention: Teach the elderly not to provide personal information or money to strangers.

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

In a practical scenario, an elderly person residing in Lugano might receive a call from a scammer posing as a grandchild in distress. The scammer might ask for a sum of money to resolve an emergency. In this case, the elderly person might be induced to transfer money via bank transfer or online payment services.

In another scenario, an elderly person residing in Mendrisio might receive a call from a scammer posing as a bank official. The scammer might ask for sensitive information, such as the credit card number or PIN, to 'verify' an operation. In this case, the elderly person might be induced to provide information that could be used to commit fraud.

Conclusion

Scams targeting the elderly through shock phone calls are a growing phenomenon that requires attention and prevention. Cross-border workers residing in Ticino and working in Italy must be aware of the risks and adopt preventive measures to protect their elderly relatives. Collaboration between Swiss and Italian authorities is fundamental to combat this phenomenon, but awareness and prevention remain the most effective tools to protect the elderly from telephone scams.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

Concrete actions

If you suspect that an elderly loved one is a victim of a scam, it is crucial to act promptly. In Ticino, the phenomenon of scams targeting the elderly is on the rise, with a 15% increase over the last two years, according to data from the Canton Police. A recent example is the case of an elderly person from Lugano who lost over 50,000 francs due to a phone scam.

Contact the competent authorities immediately, such as the Canton Police or the local Police Commissariat. Provide all available information, including phone numbers, emails, and details of suspicious transactions. Authorities can intervene to block any transactions and recover stolen funds. Under the Federal Act on Combating Cybercrime (FCCC) of 2008, online scams are punishable by up to three years' imprisonment and fines of up to 30,000 francs.

It is advisable to contact a lawyer specializing in criminal law to obtain legal assistance. Victims of scams can also turn to psychological support services, such as the Elderly Listening Center in Bellinzona, to cope with the stress and anxiety resulting from the experience.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Contact the competent authorities immediately 2. Provide all available information 3. Block any suspicious transactions 4. Contact a lawyer specializing in criminal law 5. Turn to psychological support services 6. Use the scam risk calculator to assess the situation

Operational checklist

• [ ] Verify recent bank transactions
• [ ] Contact the bank to block any suspicious operations
• [ ] Gather evidence, such as screenshots of emails or phone recordings
• [ ] Inform other family members and friends to prevent further scams

Comparison of practical scenarios

• Scenario 1: An elderly person from Locarno receives a call from a purported bank employee asking to transfer funds for security reasons. The victim transfers 20,000 francs. Action: immediately block the account and contact the bank.
• Scenario 2: An elderly person from Mendrisio receives an email with a link to a fake site asking to update personal data. The victim enters the credentials and loses access to the account. Action: immediately change the passwords and contact the bank's customer service.

"Prevention is key. Educating the elderly about the risks of scams can make all the difference." - A representative of the Canton Police of Ticino

For further information and support, visit the scam risk calculator.

Source: ilgiornaledelticino.ch