Italian Man Arrested for Allegedly Impersonating Deceased Mother to Claim Pension

A 57-year-old man in northern Italy was arrested after allegedly dressing up as his deceased mother in an effort to continue collecting her pension. The case, which authorities describe as both shocking and unusual, highlights ongoing issues with pension fraud in the country.

Police were alerted when the woman, Graziella Dall’Oglio, 82, was reportedly seen renewing her identity card. Officers noticed dark hair on the back of the neck and unusual features on the hands and chin that raised suspicion. Surveillance footage later confirmed that the man, her son, had arrived at the municipal office wearing his mother’s clothes and a wig.

Discovery of Concealed Body

Following the identity card incident, authorities visited the woman’s residence in Borgo Virgilio, near Mantua. There, they discovered her mummified body wrapped in sleeping bags inside a laundry room closet. Investigators said the man allegedly used a syringe to remove fluids from the body to delay decomposition. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

The suspect, a former nurse who is currently unemployed, faces multiple charges, including concealment of a corpse, fraud against the state, impersonation, and forgery of a public document. He remains in local custody as prosecutors await the autopsy results.

Pension Fraud in Italy

Experts say pension fraud is not uncommon in Italy, where public service and death registries are not always fully synchronized. The Italian financial crime police, Guardia di Finanza, report dozens of cases each year in which individuals impersonate deceased relatives to continue receiving pension payments. Delays in death reporting mean pension disbursements may continue for years until authorities are notified.

In this case, the alleged impersonation underscores the extreme measures taken to exploit gaps in the system. Italian authorities have increasingly focused on preventing fraud through cross-checking registries and monitoring unusual claims.

Wider Implications and Context

While most pension fraud cases involve minor financial deception, incidents like this one are rare and particularly alarming due to the concealment of the deceased person’s body. Police say the investigation will examine not only the pension fraud but also the circumstances of Graziella Dall’Oglio’s death, including whether foul play was involved prior to her death.

Authorities continue to urge citizens to report deaths promptly to prevent financial exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from being victims of fraud.