Shocking Fraud in Italy: Man Impersonates Deceased Mother for Pension

In a bizarre case from Italy, a 56-year-old man has been accused of impersonating his deceased mother to fraudulently collect her pension for years. Dubbed the 'Mrs. Doubtfire Scandal,' this shocking incident involved the man disguising himself as his mother, even going as far as to mimic her voice and mannerisms. The deception was uncovered when a government employee noticed discrepancies during an identification renewal process. Authorities discovered the mother's remains hidden in the home, leading to the man's arrest. This case raises serious questions about identity fraud and the lengths some individuals will go to for financial gain.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 21:43 IST

The Disturbing Case of the 'Mrs. Doubtfire Scandal'

Rome: A 56-year-old man in Italy faces serious allegations for allegedly defrauding the government by collecting his deceased mother's pension for years. To carry out this deception, he disguised himself as his late mother. Italian authorities have dubbed this incident the 'Mrs. Doubtfire Scandal.'

This title references the 1993 comedy film where Robin Williams portrays a father who disguises himself as a British nanny to be closer to his children after a divorce. The term has now been associated with cases involving impersonation or disguise.

The unemployed man maintained his mother's identity for nearly three years to continue receiving her pension. Reports indicate that he not only dressed like her but also mimicked her mannerisms and speech to avoid raising suspicion among officials and neighbors.

Details of the Mrs. Doubtfire Scandal in Italy

According to reports from an Italian newspaper, the Corriere della Sera, the accused never reported the death of his 82-year-old mother, Graziella D'oglio, who passed away from natural causes. After her death, he concealed her body in a sleeping bag in the laundry room of their home. Over time, the body decomposed significantly.

During this period, the son began using makeup, clothing, and wigs to resemble his mother, even managing to update her identification documents to continue receiving her pension and income from three properties, totaling approximately $61,000 (around 50 lakh rupees) annually.

The fraud came to light when a government employee noticed something unusual during the renewal of the identification card. The employee observed the woman's 'masculine facial features,' including a deep voice and thick neck. Suspicious, officials compared the current identification with old records, leading to the discovery of the truth. Subsequently, police were informed, and a search of the home revealed the mother's remains.