Newsroom
A 38-year-old woman is behind bars after allegedly swindling more than €160,000 from at least 50 people in a bogus ticket and travel scheme tied to the EuroLeague Final Four basketball tournament in Abu Dhabi.
Police say the suspect pretended to be both a travel agent and a journalist, offering what sounded like unbeatable deals for trips to the high-profile event featuring Greek powerhouses Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. Her pitch: exclusive access to game tickets and budget travel packages, all at prices far below market rates.
Investigators believe the scam began around May 2024. The woman reportedly told her victims she had arranged press trips for a major TV network and handled travel for well-known journalists, all to give her story credibility.
As the tournament in Abu Dhabi drew near, more people came forward saying they paid for trips that never existed. Instead of boarding planes to the Final Four, victims were left empty-handed and out thousands of euros.
Authorities tracked the suspect down and arrested her on Thursday. She is expected to face multiple charges related to fraud.
Police are urging others who may have been targeted by similar offers to come forward.
