Woman, 25, is remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to defrauding around 200 people by posing as a bank, with the court hearing how victims suffered losses amounting to €1 million
A 25-year-old woman from St Paul’s Bay was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to defrauding around 200 people by posing as a bank.
Tammy Caruana, who told the court she is unemployed, was charged following an extensive online fraud investigation carried out by the Malta Police Force’s Financial Crimes Investigations Department in coordination with Europol and authorities in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The investigation led to the arrest on 2 February of Caruana and her 82-year-old grandfather. Police said Caruana is the main local suspect and is believed to have operated an online fraud scheme in which she allegedly impersonated a bank.
Investigators have so far identified about 200 victims who collectively suffered losses amounting to €1 million.
Police said their inquiries have linked Caruana to an international criminal network with connections to Ireland and the UK.
During the operation, police seized about €8,000 in cash from a residence in Paola. A separate search in Qrendi resulted in the seizure of several mobile phones and electronic devices. Investigations are ongoing.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, upheld a request for the seizure and freezing of Caruana’s assets.
The defence requested bail, but the prosecution objected, citing the gravity of the alleged offences. Prosecutors argued it was premature to grant provisional release, as police still need to extract information from the accused’s electronic devices and there is a risk that, if released, she could access her online platforms and delete data.
Magistrate Farrugia Frendo denied the request for bail.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Claire Vella Borg, assisted by lawyers Marica Ciantar and Mauro Abela on behalf of the attorney general.
Lawyer Stefano Filetti appeared as parte civile for Bank of Valletta plc.
Lawyers Roberto Spiteri and Franco Galea represented the accused.
A 25-year-old woman from St Paul’s Bay was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to defrauding around 200 people by posing as a bank.
Tammy Caruana, who told the court she is unemployed, was charged following an extensive online fraud investigation carried out by the Malta Police Force’s Financial Crimes Investigations Department in coordination with Europol and authorities in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The investigation led to the arrest on 2 February of Caruana and her 82-year-old grandfather. Police said Caruana is the main local suspect and is believed to have operated an online fraud scheme in which she allegedly impersonated a bank.
Investigators have so far identified about 200 victims who collectively suffered losses amounting to €1 million.
Police said their inquiries have linked Caruana to an international criminal network with connections to Ireland and the UK.
During the operation, police seized about €8,000 in cash from a residence in Paola. A separate search in Qrendi resulted in the seizure of several mobile phones and electronic devices. Investigations are ongoing.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, upheld a request for the seizure and freezing of Caruana’s assets.
The defence requested bail, but the prosecution objected, citing the gravity of the alleged offences. Prosecutors argued it was premature to grant provisional release, as police still need to extract information from the accused’s electronic devices and there is a risk that, if released, she could access her online platforms and delete data.
Magistrate Farrugia Frendo denied the request for bail.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Claire Vella Borg, assisted by lawyers Marica Ciantar and Mauro Abela on behalf of the attorney general.
Lawyer Stefano Filetti appeared as parte civile for Bank of Valletta plc.
Lawyers Roberto Spiteri and Franco Galea represented the accused.