In Itanhaém, located on the coast of São Paulo, a 68-year-old woman fell victim to a scam, losing R$ 16,228 in a fraudulent roofing repair scheme. Four men approached her, claiming they were making necessary repairs on an adjacent house and convinced her that her roof also required urgent attention. Despite initially refusing the services, they later coerced her into agreeing to pay what ultimately amounted to R$ 50,000 for work that was either unwanted or unauthorized, receiving cash and Pix transfers from her.

After the scam took place in the Belas Artes neighborhood, local police received reports and detained the suspects, who were later released due to a lack of evidence to hold them in custody. The women reported that she paid them in cash and through digital transfers, trusting their claims and their presence in the neighborhood. Authorities are now investigating the case, trying to track down the suspects and prevent further scams targeting vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly.

This incident highlights a growing concern regarding scams targeting seniors, particularly in Brazil, where such schemes prey on lack of awareness or naivety. As the police continue their investigation, it sheds light on the critical need for awareness campaigns that inform the elderly about common scams and how to protect themselves from fraudulent activities in their communities.