Italian man fakes blindness for 53 years to claim reward from govt

ROME: Italian officials accused a 70-year-old Vicenza man of simulating complete blindness for over half a century and collecting over one million euros in disability payments fraudulently.

The man started receiving benefits 53 years ago after reporting that he had lost his vision in a work accident, but doubts surfaced during a recent check by the financial police in Vicenza.

The man was put under surveillance by the investigators and collected video evidence that disputed his claims. The man was observed doing routine tasks without assistance, such as tending a garden with sharp equipment and carefully inspecting products at nearby markets prior to purchasing them.

Further proof showed the man conducted financial transactions independently, indicating he was not visually disabled.

The prosecutor of Vicenza has now indicted him with fraud. His disability pension was suspended, and his authorities have initiated the process to retrieve the money he illegally received.