Italian Man Impersonates Deceased Mother to Collect Pension

The Shocking Case in Italy

Rome: A 56-year-old man in Italy faces serious allegations for allegedly embezzling his deceased mother's pension for several years. To achieve this, he disguised himself to resemble her. Authorities have dubbed this incident the "Mrs. Doubtfire Scandal."

The term "Mrs. Doubtfire" references a 1993 comedy film featuring Robin Williams, where he disguises himself as an elderly British nanny to stay close to his children after a divorce. This title has now been associated with cases of impersonation.

The unemployed man maintained his mother's identity for nearly three years to collect 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 the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the accused never reported the death of his 82-year-old mother, Graziella D'Agostino, who passed away from natural causes. After her death, he concealed her body in a sleeping bag in the laundry room, where it eventually decomposed.

During this time, he began using makeup, clothing, and wigs to impersonate his mother, even managing to update her identification documents. It was revealed that he was earning approximately $61,000 (around 50 lakh rupees) annually from her pension and three properties.

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," such as a deep voice and thick neck. Upon further investigation, 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 uncovered the mother’s body.