Italy Scams: Online, Tourist & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Italy and how to report them via the Polizia Postale, AGCM, and your bank.
Emergency number: 112 (emergency), 113 (Polizia di Stato) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Italy sees significant volumes of online fraud including phishing, smishing impersonating banks or the Agenzia delle Entrate (tax authority), fake online shops, and investment scams. Tourist areas are known for distraction theft, counterfeit goods, and overcharging practices. The Polizia Postale (Postal Police) is Italy's specialist cybercrime unit and operates the commissariatodips.it portal for online reports. The AGCM handles consumer protection complaints. Contacting your bank immediately after any suspected fraud gives the best chance of recovering a fraudulent transfer, and police complaints can be filed at any commissariato (police station) or online via the Polizia Postale portal.
Common scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating banks or the Agenzia delle Entrate
- Fake online shops and non-delivery
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Business email compromise targeting companies
Tourist-specific scams
- Distraction pickpocketing at monuments and on public transport
- Rose or bracelet scams at tourist sites
- Overcharging restaurants (check for 'cover charge' additions)
- Fake taxi operators at airports
Online shopping scams
- Phishing emails impersonating Italian banks or Poste Italiane
- Marketplace and classified-ad non-delivery
- Rental deposit scams via fake listings
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront 'registration' payments
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance leading to cryptocurrency investment grooming
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and clone broker firms
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report cybercrime to the Polizia Postale at commissariatodips.it
- File a criminal complaint (denuncia) at any police station (commissariato)
- Report consumer fraud to the AGCM at agcm.it
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card. Italian banks can attempt to recall fraudulent transfers most effectively within the first few hours. No legitimate bank or government agency sends texts asking you to confirm credentials via a link.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is the Polizia Postale?
The Polizia Postale e delle Comunicazioni is the Italian Police unit specialising in cybercrime, online fraud, and communications offences. You can report cybercrime online at commissariatodips.it or at a local Polizia Postale office.
How do I avoid restaurant overcharging in Italy?
Check the menu for 'coperto' (cover charge) and 'servizio' (service charge) before ordering. Request an itemised receipt ('scontrino') and compare it against what you ordered. Report unfair practices to the local tourist police.
Does the Agenzia delle Entrate contact taxpayers by SMS?
The Italian tax authority may send some communications by SMS, but it will never ask you to click a link to enter banking credentials or make an urgent payment. Treat any such message as a phishing attempt.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance