Rome Escort Scam Busted: Clients Beaten, Robbed by Fake Jealous Boyfriend

  Rome - A criminal ring that used online escort ads to lure and rob clients has been dismantled in Rome, following a coordinated investigation by Carabinieri and local police from San Giovanni and the Tivoli-Guidonia district. The suspects staged a violent scam using a fabricated scenario of a jealous boyfriend to intimidate and assault their victims.

 

 According to investigators, the group operated primarily in the Casal Bertone neighborhood. Victims were contacted on platforms such as Telegram and dating sites, with offers of sexual services in exchange for money. Once an appointment was arranged, the victims were directed to a specific apartment.

 

 Upon arrival, the woman involved - identified as Laura D.A., 40, from Rome - would welcome the client. Shortly after, a male accomplice, pretending to be a jealous boyfriend or husband, would burst into the apartment and initiate a staged altercation. This would quickly escalate to physical violence and theft.

 

 The Heist: Credit Cards, Cash, and Even Cars Stolen During the chaos, the victims were robbed of personal belongings including wallets, documents, credit cards, and even their vehicles. The stolen credit cards were then used for fraudulent transactions, and the cars were taken to a disguised auto workshop where they were modified for resale.

 Police reported that some victims were beaten severely, sustaining injuries that required medical attention. Others were left without any way to retrieve their stolen items until hours later.

Police Intervention and Arrests

 Following multiple reports between October 2022 and November 2023, investigators were able to track down the suspects using surveillance, tips from online forums, and data from stolen vehicles and cards. Those arrested are:

 *   Guido L., 53, Roman - believed to have played the aggressive partner role and also impersonated a police officer in another robbery.

 *   Giorgio S., 32, Romanian - involved in the physical assaults and vehicle trafficking.

 *   Laura D.A., 40, Roman - responsible for luring the victims into the trap.

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 They face a variety of charges including robbery, assault, identity theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, vehicle theft, and extortion.

 

 A break in the case led police to a garage camouflaged as a glassworks factory, which was in fact a front for auto recycling and VIN tampering.

 Two men - a 56-year-old Italian and a 45-year-old Ukrainian - were arrested on-site while altering a stolen car. Authorities were first alerted by neighbors who reported strange noises and vehicle movement at all hours.

 

 Authorities suspect that the number of victims could be much higher. An online forum titled "Truffa Casa Bruciato" has emerged, where individuals describe similar scams matching the group's methods.

The investigation continues under the supervision of the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office, with officials encouraging any additional victims to come forward.

 

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