Can you believe it, just saw this in the morning news. Guess
it can happen anywhere.


Son Dresses Up As Dead Mom To Collect Her Pension

POSTED: 4:51 pm EST March 11, 2005
UPDATED: 5:23 pm EST March 11, 2005

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Police in Turkey have reportedly detained a man who buried his dead mother in his basement, then disguised himself as her to get her retirement pension.

The man dressed up in a woman's overcoat, headscarf and stockings to go to the bank. Employees got suspicious about his deep voice, and a manager secretly photographed him and called police.

Serafettin Gencel reportedly told police his 68-year-old mother died two years ago of natural causes. He said he buried her body in his basement in order to continue collecting her pension.

Authorities have exhumed the body and are investigating. The man faces possible charges of fraud, suspicious death and conducting a burial without notifying authorities.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed