Malta Police Arrest Two in €1 Million International Online Fraud Scheme

International Operation Leads to Arrests in Malta

Malta Police have arrested a 25-year-old woman and an 82-year-old man in connection with an extensive international online fraud investigation. The arrests, made on February 2, 2026, are linked to a scheme that allegedly defrauded approximately 200 victims of a collective €1 million.

The operation was a coordinated effort involving the Malta Police Financial Crime Investigations Department, Europol, and law enforcement authorities from Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Details of the Fraud Scheme and Suspects

The 25-year-old woman, identified as Tammy Caruana from St Paul's Bay, is suspected of being the principal local actor in the online fraud scheme. Police allege that she impersonated a local bank to deceive victims. The 82-year-old man arrested alongside her is believed to be her grandfather.

Investigators have so far identified around 200 victims, primarily Maltese nationals, who suffered significant financial losses. The total amount defrauded through this international criminal network is estimated to be €1 million.

Coordinated Raids and Seizures

During the simultaneous operation on February 2, 2026, authorities conducted several searches. In Malta, police seized €8,000 in cash from a residence in Paola. A separate search in Qrendi resulted in the confiscation of multiple mobile phones and electronic devices believed to be connected to the case.

In parallel, the Irish Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) carried out searches at various properties in the Donegal area, seizing electronic devices of evidential value. No arrests were made in Ireland during this phase of the investigation.

Court Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

Tammy Caruana was arraigned in court on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, where she pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, fraud, and being part of an organised crime group. The court, presided over by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, remanded her in custody and upheld a request for the seizure and freezing of her assets. Bail was denied, with the prosecution citing the gravity of the alleged offenses and the ongoing need to extract information from electronic devices, arguing that there was a risk she could tamper with or delete data if released.

Police investigations are still ongoing across multiple jurisdictions as authorities continue to gather evidence and identify further connections within the international criminal network.