Scams targeting the elderly: two arrests in the Locarno area

Context

TL;DR

• Two Czech citizens arrested for 'shock calls' scam in Locarno.
• Scammers impersonated medical professionals to extort elderly victims.
• Stolen goods worth over 20,000 Swiss francs recovered.
• Prompt reporting by victim's family led to swift police action.

Key facts

• Cosa: Scam targeting elderly, known as 'shock calls'.
• Quando: Arrests took place on April 20, 2024.
• Dove: Locarno district, Gordola, and Tenero.
• Chi: Two Czech citizens, aged 59 and 55.
• Importo: Stolen goods estimated at over 20,000 Swiss francs.
• Scadenza: No specific deadline mentioned.
• Metodo: Scammers posed as medical professionals, pressured victims for money.
• Legge: Fraud punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine.

Scams targeting the elderly: two arrests in Locarno district

The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Cantonal Police of Ticino have announced the arrest of two Czech citizens, aged 59 and 55, residing in the Czech Republic. The two are suspected of participating in a scam targeting the elderly, known as "shock calls," committed in Gordola. The arrest took place on April 20, thanks to the swift report by the victim's family to the Common Alarm Center (CECAL). Immediate investigations and the readiness of patrols active in the area allowed the two to be intercepted in Tenero and the stolen goods, estimated at over 20,000 Swiss francs, including jewelry, valuable watches, and cash, to be recovered.

Modus Operandi

The method used by the scammers resembles that seen in numerous variants in the past. The perpetrators posed as someone active in the medical field, insistently asking the victim for a significant amount of money to cover the treatment of a relative suffering from a serious illness. By leveraging the limited time available, they pressured the victim to hand over cash and valuable items kept at home.

"The victim, a 78-year-old woman, received a call from an unknown number. The scammer introduced himself as a doctor from Locarno Hospital and claimed that her grandson had been involved in a road accident and needed urgent surgery costing 15,000 francs."

Operational Checklist for Law Enforcement

1. Immediate Report: Contact CECAL at 117. 2. Identification of the Scammer: Record the phone number and any information provided by the scammer. 3. Protection of the Victim: Isolate the victim from further phone contact. 4. Recovery of Evidence: Document any bank transactions or cash deliveries. 5. Collaboration with Other Law Enforcement Agencies: Involve the Locarno City Police and the Intercommunal Police of the Piano.

Involvement of Law Enforcement

The operation involved the Locarno City Police and the Intercommunal Police of the Piano. Investigations will now clarify any possible involvement of the two arrested individuals in other scams attempted or carried out recently in the canton. The suspected crime is repeated fraud, and the investigation is coordinated by Public Prosecutor Zaccaria Akbas.

Regulations and Penalties

According to Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code, fraud is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine. If the fraud is committed against an elderly or vulnerable person, the penalty can be increased. Furthermore, the Federal Law against Cybercrime (LCrI) of 2008 provides penalties for those who use electronic means to commit crimes.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

📊 Scenario 1: An elderly woman from Gordola receives a call and is convinced to hand over 15,000 francs. The stolen goods are recovered thanks to the timely intervention of law enforcement. 📊 Scenario 2: An elderly woman from Lugano receives a similar call but does not report the incident. The scammers manage to flee with the money and valuable items, totaling 30,000 francs.

Prevention Tips

⚠️ Always verify the caller's identity: Ask to call the official number of the institution or person claiming to be. ⚠️ Never provide personal or financial information: Scammers can use this information to commit further crimes. ⚠️ Report any suspicion immediately: Contact CECAL or local police to report any attempted scams.

💡 Education and Awareness: Participate in training courses or seminars organized by local authorities to learn prevention techniques and recognition of scams.

Operational details

Implications for Cross-Border Workers and the Community

In recent months, the phenomenon of 'shock calls' has seen a significant rise in Ticino, with a particularly high number of reports in the municipalities of Locarno, Ascona, and Brissago. According to data provided by the Cantonal Police, over 150 cases have been reported in 2023 alone, resulting in a total financial loss exceeding 200,000 francs. Elderly individuals, who are often more vulnerable and less familiar with new technologies, account for 65% of the victims. This type of scam exploits fear and urgency, leading victims to transfer money or disclose sensitive data.

"The speed with which the scam was reported in this case allowed for the recovery of the stolen goods and the arrest of the perpetrators, demonstrating the importance of prompt interaction with law enforcement."

A concrete example is the case of a 78-year-old woman from Locarno who received a call from a supposed banking representative. The victim was persuaded to transfer 15,000 francs to an alleged 'IT technician' to 'block a hacker attack.' Thanks to swift reporting to the Police, the transfer was halted, and the scammers were apprehended.

Prevention Tips

To prevent these scams, it is crucial to follow some practical advice and adopt concrete preventive measures.

Operational Checklist

• Always verify the caller's identity
• If you receive a suspicious call, do not hesitate to verify the caller's identity by directly contacting the institution or person claiming to be them.
• Use official contact numbers of the institution, not those provided by the caller.

• Never share personal information
• Never disclose personal or financial details over the phone, especially if the call feels urgent or threatening.
• Remember that no financial or public institution will request sensitive data via phone call.

• Consult official sources
• If in doubt, check with official sources or contact the relevant authorities to verify the legitimacy of the request.
• You can reach out to the Cantonal Police or the Department of Institutions of the Canton of Ticino.

Practical Scenario Comparison

Practical Scenarios

• Scenario 1: A cross-border worker receives a call claiming to be from their bank requesting urgent verification of their account.
• Scenario 2: An elderly person receives a call from someone claiming to be a family member in trouble, asking for money.

📊 Example of Comparison

• Scenario 1: The caller pressures for immediate action, asks for personal details.
• Scenario 2: The caller claims a family emergency and requests a transfer.

Legislation and Amounts

In Ticino, phone scam regulations are governed by the Federal Law against Cybercrime (LCrI), which came into force on January 1, 2008. This law prescribes severe penalties for cybercriminal activities, including phone scams. Penalties can reach up to 3 years in prison and fines up to 100,000 francs.

Concrete Examples

Another notable case involves an 80-year-old retiree from Ascona who received a call from a supposed grandson in trouble. The scammer requested a transfer of 10,000 francs to 'resolve a legal issue.' Thanks to prompt police intervention, the transfer was blocked, and the scammer was identified.

For more information and prevention tips, visit the Department of Institutions of the Canton of Ticino at https://www4.ti.ch/di/pol-new/prevenzione/truffe/truffe-telefoniche.

Useful tools to protect your net income

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

Key points

What to do in case of fraud

If you suspect you are a victim of a telephone scam, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Cantonal Police immediately: Provide all available information about the call and the person who contacted you. In Ticino, the emergency number is 117. The Cantonal Police of Ticino recorded a 15% increase in telephone scams in 2023, with a peak in cases in Locarno and Lugano.

2. Do not transfer money or valuable items: Even if the call seems urgent, do not make money transfers or hand over valuable items without verifying the legitimacy of the request. For example, in 2023, an elderly person from Bellinzona lost CHF 50,000 due to a 'distressed relative' scam.

3. Document the call: Note the phone number, the time of the call, and the details of the conversation. This will help the authorities trace and identify the scammers.

Operational Checklist

• Phone number: Note the number from which the call originated.
• Time: Record the exact time of the call.
• Conversation details: Write down everything you remember about the conversation, including the scammer's specific requests.
• Useful contacts: Keep the contacts of the Cantonal Police and other relevant authorities.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

• Common scenarios:
• Distressed relative scam: The scammer pretends to be a relative in trouble and asks for money for an emergency.
• Tax scam: The scammer pretends to be a tax official and asks for the payment of an alleged fine.

• Concrete examples:
• Locarno: In 2023, an elderly person received a call from a number that seemed to come from abroad. The scammer asked for CHF 10,000 for an alleged tax debt. Thanks to the elderly person's promptness, who immediately contacted the Police, the transfer was blocked.
• Lugano: Another case involved a scammer pretending to be a relative in trouble. The victim transferred CHF 20,000 before realizing the scam.

Useful Tools

For further information and assistance, consult the salary calculator and the permit comparator on Frontaliere Ticino. These tools can help you better manage your financial situation and understand your rights and duties as a cross-border worker.

Relevant Regulations

• Federal Law against Fraud (Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code): Fraud is punishable by a custodial sentence of up to five years or a fine.
• Consumer Credit Ordinance (CCO): Establishes the rules for loans and financing, protecting consumers from fraudulent practices.

Practical Tips

• Always verify the caller's identity: Contact the person or entity that the scammer claims to represent directly.
• Do not share personal information: Avoid providing sensitive data such as credit card numbers or passwords.
• Report immediately: Even if you have not lost money, reporting the scam can help prevent other cases.

"Prevention is the best defense against telephone scams" - Cantonal Police of Ticino.

Conclusion

Telephone scams are on the rise in Ticino, but with the right precautions and tools, it is possible to protect yourself. Follow the indicated steps, use the available tools, and always stay vigilant.

Source: ticinonews.ch