A scandal that has shocked the entire country erupted in the small Italian town of Borgo Virgilio. A 57-year-old man, a former nurse, was detained after attempting to pose as his long-deceased mother. His goal was to continue receiving the pension payments that were due to the woman after her husband’s death.
To convincingly play the role of an elderly lady, the man wore a woman’s wig, bright makeup, classic jewelry, and clothes typical for older women. He even put on clip-on earrings and a pearl necklace to avoid arousing suspicion. However, a sharp-eyed employee at the local registry office noticed several inconsistencies: his skin looked too young, his voice was unnatural, and he drove a car confidently—unusual for an 85-year-old woman without a driver’s license.
The employee’s suspicions grew when she saw the ‘elderly woman’ come in to renew a document that had expired ten years ago. She reported the matter to her superiors, and soon local authorities and the police got involved. They decided to invite ‘Graziella Dall’Oglio’ to return, supposedly to clarify some documentation details. This time, however, she was met not by officials, but by law enforcement officers.
Investigation and exposure
The man couldn’t keep the truth hidden for long and confessed to his attempted fraud. However, the real shock came when police discovered the mummified body of his mother hidden in one of the rooms of his home. The body was kept in a tightly sealed bag, which allowed him to conceal its existence for three years.
During all this time, the man continued to file annual tax returns in his mother’s name, declaring income from her pension and family property. The total amount of illegally obtained funds exceeded 50,000 euros. Neighbors and acquaintances hadn’t seen the woman for a long time, but no one suspected anything was wrong, since her son insisted that she simply wasn’t leaving the house due to health reasons.
Police have arrested the man on charges of fraud, forgery of documents, and concealing a body. An investigation is underway to uncover all the circumstances of this unusual case and determine how he managed to deceive government agencies for so long.
Public Reaction and Consequences
The story has sparked widespread public outcry. Many in Italy are discussing how something like this could happen in a modern society where oversight of pensioners and social payments is considered strict. Authorities have promised to review pension recipient verification procedures to prevent similar cases in the future.
The man’s neighbors are shocked by what happened. They say he always seemed withdrawn, but no one could have imagined such a terrifying secret was hidden behind the closed doors of his home. Some note that in recent years, he was seen outside less often and barely interacted with others.
Psychologists point out that while such cases are extremely rare, they can be linked to desperation and financial hardship. However, such a cynical way of solving problems provokes condemnation and concern in society.
Further developments
The man faces severe punishment for his crimes. Investigators are still trying to determine if he had accomplices and how long he had been planning his scheme. Authorities are also checking whether similar cases have occurred in other parts of the country.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and responsibility not only from government agencies but also from ordinary citizens. Italian society is debating how to prevent such tragedies and ensure the elderly can live with dignity.
