Garda Scam Alert: How to Recognize Fake Police Calls and Respond

They impersonate Carabinieri when making phone calls to hoteliers, shopkeepers, artisans, and restaurateurs in the middle and upper Garda area, offering subscriptions to magazines of the armed forces.

These are not military personnel, but scammers who, from time to time, claim to belong to the finance police, federal police, fire brigade, or municipal police.

How to recognize scams and how to respond

They often propose subscriptions to nonexistent magazines or publications that have nothing to do with law enforcement agencies.

Therefore, be cautious and immediately notify the real Carabinieri — simply dial 112 — as soon as you suspect you have been targeted by individuals who, after receiving the money, disappear.