Lombardy has been the worst-affected region in Italy since a sudden coronavirus outbreak in the country – and it seems scammers are taking advantage of the vulnerability of locals.
Police have reported numerous reports in the region this week of fraudsters posing as volunteers from the Red Cross or claiming to be paramedics or other medical personnel in order to steal valuables from elderly or at-risk people in their homes.
Thefts were reported in the capital of Milan and surrounding areas as well as in the Bergamo area.
Lombardy’s welfare councillor Giulio Gallera said the fraudsters had also been knocking on doors in the “red zone”; the small towns in northern Italy which have been badly hit by the virus and are currently under lockdown.
“There are no Red Cross volunteers or any others who have been dispatched for such screenings,” Gallera said at a press conference on Monday, urging residents “not to let anyone in” unless they had requested medical assistance and were expecting health workers.
Anyone visited by people claiming they need to conduct tests for coronavirus is urged to contact their local Caribinieri office or call Italy’s emergency number 112.
