An Italian man is under investigation after allegedly dressing up as his deceased mother in an elaborate scheme to continue collecting her pension — nearly three years after her death.
The 56-year-old man, who is a former nurse and currently unemployed, reportedly wore a blouse and skirt, along with lipstick and a short brown wig, to impersonate his mother, 85-year-old Graziella Dall’Oglio, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Authorities say he never reported her death in 2022 and continued to collect around €53,000 (about $60,000) from her survivor’s pension linked to her late husband, as well as income from the family’s real estate and land.
The alleged scam came to light on November 16 at a registry office in Borgo Virgilio, a town about two hours east of Milan, when the man attempted to renew his mother’s identity card.
A clerk at the office became suspicious.
“She looked very much like the woman in the photo on the ID. But there was something that didn’t convince the employee, like the hair on her neck, the heavy makeup, and it looked like beard holes were protruding from the greasepaint,” said Mayor Francesco Aporti.
After reviewing surveillance footage, officials noticed that the person in disguise drove to the office, even though the elderly woman did not have a driver’s license.
“He was wearing a suit with a long skirt, lipstick on his lips, nail polish on his hands, jewellery around his neck and hands, old-fashioned earrings,” Aporti said. He also noted that the man tried to imitate a female voice, but that “masculine notes” occasionally slipped through.
Police and town officials called him back to the registry office, where he was confronted. He admitted the disguise and confirmed Graziella was his mother.
Footage published by La Repubblica showed him walking toward the office with a cane, wearing a dark cardigan, a white scarf, a mid-length skirt, and short brown hair, while carrying a bag.
After the confession, authorities searched his mother’s home and reportedly found her mummified body in one of the rooms.
“The woman may have died of natural causes, but the autopsy will probably determine that,” said Aporti. “It’s a very, very sad story.”
The man is now being investigated for concealing a corpse, fraud against the state, impersonation, and making false statements in public. The Registry Office of the Municipality of Borgo Virgilio is handling the case.
