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MANTUA, ITALY – Authorities in Italy have uncovered a disturbing case of fraud that police are dubbing a "Mrs. Doubtfire scandal." A 56-year-old unemployed man allegedly spent the last three years impersonating his dead mother to collect her pension while concealing her mummified corpse inside their shared home.
The ruse began after the death of 82-year-old Graziella Dall’Oglio. Instead of reporting her passing, her son decided to keep the cash flowing. He hid her body in a sleeping bag and stashed it in the laundry room of their house in Borgo Virgilio. For three years, he lived with the corpse while he meticulously crafted a disguise to fool the government.
The Ultimate Disguise
The fraud went far beyond simply cashing checks. The son reportedly adopted a full disguise to maintain the illusion that his mother was still alive. He wore her clothes, applied her makeup, and mimicked her mannerisms. The scheme was so effective that he successfully renewed her identity card at a government office on the outskirts of Mantua long after she had died.
This elaborate performance allowed him to pocket roughly $61,000 annually. The sum came from her pension payments and income from a property portfolio that included three houses.
A Suspicious Clerk
The scam finally unraveled thanks to an observant government employee. The son visited an office while in character, but the clerk noticed something was off. The "elderly woman" had distinctly masculine features, including a thick neck and a surprisingly low voice.
The employee alerted the local police who then compared photos of Dall’Oglio with her son. They realized the person in the office was likely the son in drag.
Grisly Discovery
When officers arrived at the home to investigate, the son allowed them inside. They quickly discovered the mummified remains of Dall’Oglio in the laundry room.
Initial reports suggest that foul play was not involved in her actual death. Borgo Virgilio mayor Francesco Aporti told local reporters that she likely died of natural causes, though a postmortem exam will confirm the specific cause. The son is now under investigation for benefit fraud and the illegal concealment of a corpse.
For more cases related to bizarre scams and shocking family crimes, checkout our video here:
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