In the sun-kissed Italian island of Sardinia, an unconventional situation has come to light. A local residing in Sarrroch has been holding onto a secret for years - his late mother's remains, stored in a refrigerator to maintain her pension benefits. With neighbors growing suspicious of her prolonged absence, authorities decided to investigate, leading to the grim discovery.
The 78-year-old woman, reportedly passive for around two years, might have passed away during the global COVID-19 outbreak. An autopsy will likely provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding her death. This alleged deceitful act is rumored to have yielded the son substantial financial gains.
While scouring through his income, investigating authorities unearthed the ongoing addition of his mother's pension benefits to his earnings. This continuation could be attributed to the son's deceitful actions, despite her demise.
Additional Insights:
Worldwide, this unorthodox practice of keeping pension benefits flowing after a deceased relative's demise is not as prevalent. For instance, in the United States, the Social Security Administration has measures in place to prevent such events occurring. The automation of terminating benefits for individuals aged 115 and above, as well as the implementation of COBOL technology for data maintenance, help tackle this issue[1].
In Italy, such practices would most likely be deemed fraudulent and carry legal penalties. Under Italian law, beneficiaries must inform the relevant authorities of any changes in their status, including the death of a spouse or beneficiary. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including the suspension of benefits and potential legal action[2].
In various nations, concealing a deceased relative to continue receiving pension benefits is viewed as a form of fraud, with severe legal repercussions such as fines, imprisonment, and an immediate cessation of benefits. Robust verification processes and regular audits are essential in detecting and deterring such fraudulent activities within pension administration[3].
[1]Mitchell, Olivia S., and Jeffrey Brown. The Impact of AI and Automation on Pension Programs. World Bank, World Bank, 13 June 2021, .
[2] Williams, Dean. "False Death Claims in Italy." GMS Risk Solutions, 8 May 2019, .
[3] "Pension Fraud." Law Enforcement Agencies, 10 September 2020, .
