Man Fakes Blindness for Over 20 Years, Collecting $175,000 in Benefits
A man in Italy was arrested after pretending to be blind for more than two decades. During this time, he received nearly $175,000 in public benefits by falsely claiming to be completely unable to see.
Details of the Case
The man lived in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples in southern Italy. He repeatedly told authorities he was totally blind and unable to manage his daily life independently. This earned him disability payments and economic aid from the government.
Over the years, he and his wife collected a total of about $175,000 from INPS, the Italian agency responsible for social security and disability pensions.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
Initially, investigations by the Guardia di Finanza and INPS did not expose the deception. The man submitted forged medical reports, including a falsified eye exam from 2010, which convinced a new medical commission of his blindness.
These fabricated documents allowed him to keep receiving government benefits for many more years without suspicion.
The scam lasted more than 20 years before he was caught, shocking Italian authorities.
Author's Summary
This case highlights the lengths some individuals go to exploit social benefit systems, sustaining deception through forged documents and false claims over two decades.