Authorities in northern Italy have arrested a 57-year-old man after discovering that he had been impersonating his late mother for nearly three years in order to continue collecting her pension.
The incident occurred in Borgo Virgilio, Lombardy. Local media, Corriere della Sera, reported that the man had been withdrawing his mother Graziella Dall’Oglio’s benefits—amounting to almost £50,000 a year—without notifying officials of her death.
The case came to light when the suspect arrived at the local registry office dressed in a wig, make-up, jewellery and women’s clothing, attempting to renew his mother’s expired identity card. Staff noticed inconsistencies in his appearance and alerted authorities.
An investigation later revealed that the man had kept his mother’s mummified remains inside the cellar of her home while continuing to file documents and receive her pension.
Police have charged him with identity fraud, concealment of a corpse and defrauding the national pension system. Local prosecutors have also ordered an autopsy to determine the exact time and circumstances of the woman’s death.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Italy and has renewed discussions on pension oversight and identity-related fraud.
