During another visit to the town hall dressed as an old lady, the man was received by police officers.Image: EPA/ANSA
Wearing a wig, lipstick and earrings, a 58-year-old in Italy is said to have pretended to be his deceased mother – in order to continue collecting her pension.
November 26, 2025, 04:05November 26, 2025, 04:05
A man from Borgo Virgilio near Mantua (Lombardy) is suspected in Italy of having hidden the body of his deceased mother and drawing her pension for years. According to media reports, he is said to have even disguised himself as the dead woman – including a woman’s wig, nail polish and lipstick – in order to renew her documents and continue to get the money.
The alleged fraud only came into the attention of the authorities at the beginning of November, when the man apparently appeared in disguise at the town hall, supposedly to renew his mother’s identification papers. But the appearance raised doubts: According to Mayor Francesco Aporti, he appeared “with lipstick, old earrings and a dark bob,” and “imitated a high-pitched voice,” but repeatedly fell into low tones.
An employee of the authority became suspicious. The “old lady’s” neck appeared unusually strong, the skin on her hands was too young – and the wrinkles on her face looked strange. According to media reports, the authorities compared the official photo of the mother with that of the person appearing – and became suspicious.
When the man, who according to the Italian media is said to be in his late 50s, appeared again in women’s clothing during a second visit to the authorities, he was taken directly to the local police – accompanied by a plainclothes officer and Mayor Francesco Aporti himself. There, according to “Corriere della Sera”, he confessed that he was the son of the alleged applicant. The investigators then searched his house and found a mummified body in a room. A forensic medical examination will now clarify whether this is undoubtedly the mother.
Italian media published pictures supposedly showing the son in disguise. The video from a surveillance camera shared by “La Repubblica” is said to show the man walking into the town hall dressed as an old lady with a handbag and a cane.
Investigations against 58-year-olds
The mother had apparently died several years ago. The son, an unemployed nurse, is said to have collected tens of thousands of euros in pension payments during this time. According to “Corriere”, thanks to the pension and three properties, he had an annual income of around 53,000 euros.
The investigation against the man from Mantua is ongoing. He is currently charged with welfare fraud and concealing a corpse.
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