"Qualcuno le prendeva in giro."

[march]

can't I say "someone was making fun of HER"?

[f.formica]

Prendere is transitive, so it needs a direct object, and the direct object form of lei is "la"; "le" as direct object is a female "them".

[Blomeley]

Thats a new one! It sounds like it would be 'taking someone for a ride' as well, no?

[f.formica]

It's mostly teasing or making fun of someone, but yes, it can actually be used for taking someone for a ride :)