Online Scams & Fraud in Italy

Picture this: amidst the picturesque landscapes and bustling piazzas, a virtual battlefield unfolds. It is a cunning arena where crafty con artists and cyber tricksters don disguises as digital maestros, using technology as their weapon of choice. From the ancient streets of Rome to the sun-soaked shores of Sicily, Italy's online underworld thrives, preying on the unsuspecting and exploiting the innocent.

These con artists orchestrate intricate ruses, drawing their unwary victims into a skillfully constructed web of deceit, like a great symphony. They deftly take advantage of the gaps in the digital age's defenses, mocking our faith and manipulating our emotions in the same way a violin virtuoso does. 

Here, we embark on a thrilling journey to understand the various forms of online scams and fraud that have infiltrated the Italian cyber landscape and the help victims of scams can get. 

Scam Statistics in Italy

The key statistics on online fraud in Italy, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.

The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

Where Can I Report a Scam in Italy?

• The Police or Questura- You can report any online scam to your nearest police station. Italy now has more than 2,000 police officers specializing in IT-related crimes.
• Postal and Communications Police (Polizia Postale e delle Comunicazioni)- The Postal and Communications Police specialize in handling cybercrimes and scams.

How to Report a Scam in Italy

Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

• Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
• Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
• Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
• Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
   

Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

Scam Victim Support in Italy

We are unaware of any scam victim support in Italy. You can consult with a local licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist who specializes in trauma or victims of crime

How to Check for a Scam in Italy

Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.

• The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa- They are the regulatory authority for the Italian financial market. They provide a register of authorized companies and intermediaries operating in the financial sector.
• The Cyber Crime Analysis Unit- This is a special Cyber 
  Crime Analysis Unit has been set up in close cooperation with Italian Universities. You can check their latest reports on cybercrime.

Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities

• Antitrust Authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato): If you encounter scams related to unfair business practices, misleading advertising, or breaches of consumer rights, you can report them to the Antitrust Authority. 
• National Cybersecurity Agency- They ensure constant improvement of the cybersecurity and digital capabilities of Italy in cooperation with the national and European industrial, research, and academic stakeholders.

Scam News From Italy

• Italian man pleads guilty to a book fraud scheme in US court
• Are English speakers more likely to be targeted by scams in Italy?
• Italy and Albania Bust €15 Million Crypto Investment Scam

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