The Financial Guard of Trento has conducted an investigation into mobile phone fraud that has resulted in the discovery of a scam affecting 57 consumers, mainly elderly individuals. The operation involved a company based in the capital city of Trento and four retail outlets in the province. The company allegedly used customer data to activate phone lines and carry out fictitious sales of cell phones with installment charges.
The Financial Police of the Provincial Command of Trento executed a preventive seizure order issued by the judge of the Trento Court, which ordered the seizure of assets and financial resources amounting to approximately 80,000 euros from five individuals – four Italians and one Uruguayan – who are being investigated for the crimes of aggravated fraud, identity theft, violation of privacy laws, computer fraud with unauthorized access to computer systems, and falsification of records and notifications subject to authority control.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by a pensioner who discovered a charge on his credit card for the activation of a SIM card registered under his deceased spouse’s name. The investigation revealed serious criminal irregularities committed between 2020 and 2022 by the owners and employees of the company based in Trento. The suspects allegedly took advantage of customer data to activate phone lines and sell cell phones on installment plans using the personal and banking information of the customers stored in the centralized registry of the telecommunications provider. This allowed the sales targets of the retail stores to be increased.
The investigation revealed that the administrators and employees of the company defrauded 57 consumers, mostly elderly people, by activating over 900 SIM cards in their names and fictitiously selling 62 smartphones. In some cases, by manipulating the phones of unsuspecting customers who had visited the store for software issues or updates, they would activate unwanted paid phone services. The installment charges on the consumer’s bank account or credit card made the cost less noticeable to the victims.
The formally activated SIM cards and the remaining cell phones in the store were subsequently sold to third parties “off the books” or with generic receipts. These actions allowed the company to appear to have met sales targets, earning them bonuses and commercial rewards, and to collect payment for the SIM cards and cell phones sold.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Trento requested and obtained the preventive seizure of assets resulting from the illicit activity, amounting to approximately 80,000 euros. Additionally, the company was reported to the Italian Data Protection Authority to evaluate the conduct of the administrators in relation to privacy regulations. The Authority imposed an administrative fine of 150,000 euros on the Trento-based company.
The Judicial Authority issued the decree to close the investigation, confirming the charges against the five individuals involved and requesting their trial. This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of investigative synergies between the Financial Guard and the Judicial Authority in protecting the market economy and consumers.
It should be noted that, according to the principle of presumption of innocence, the guilt of the individuals involved will only be definitively established in the case of an irrevocable conviction.
Italian Version
