An international criminal organization, defeated by the Postal Police, had implemented a proven system to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
A ring of fake electricity and gas contracts has earned a network of international fraudsters around 9 million euros in just three months. The operation of Police postconducted with the collaboration of the State Police, led to 35 searches, of which 32 in Italy and 3 in Tirana, Albania.
The investigations began with the complaint of a Milanese priest tormented by threatening phone calls from call centers. The Postal Police discovered a complex criminal system, managed by a majority of Albanians, who used call centers in Italy and Albania to activate electricity and gas contracts in the name of unsuspecting citizens.
Deception techniques
Victims were contacted by telephone with the excuse of unpaid bills or service interruptions. The scammers, very skilled and insistent, managed to steal people’s personal data, convincing them to change supplier. In some cases, when they didn’t get consent, they used artificial intelligence to edit voice recordings to make it appear as if people had approved the contract.
The role of artificial intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence represents an innovative and worrying element of this scam. The software used was able to simulate the victims’ vocal consent, recording short portions of “yes” from their conversations and then using them to activate the fraudulent contracts.
How to protect yourself from scams
To defend yourself from this type of scam, it is important:
- Never give personal or banking details to strangers, even over the phone.
- Be wary of anyone who contacts you to offer you advantageous offers or to resolve alleged problems with your utilities.
- Always check the identity of anyone contacting you and, if in doubt, contact your electricity and gas supplier directly.
- Report any incidents of fraud to the competent authorities.
Who to contact in case of scam
If you are a victim of a scam, you can contact:
The scam of false electricity and gas contracts is a serious crime that can cause serious economic and psychological damage to victims. It is important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions to protect yourself. The competent authorities are working to combat this type of scam, but the collaboration of citizens is essential to report any suspicious incidents.
