A DNA test has confirmed a Bulgarian Roma woman is the mother of a mystery girl known as Maria, found living with a couple in Greece, authorities in Bulgaria said.

Child abduction charges were brought against the couple with whom Maria was found living in a Roma settlement outside Farsala, central Greece, a week ago.

They have been jailed pending trial, and are also suspected of fraudulently obtaining birth certificates for 14 children.

Greek authorities are trying to work out whether the children all exist, or whether the alleged document fraud was part of a welfare scam - the couple allegedly received more than €2,500 a month in family benefits.

They insist they were looking after Maria with their own five children after an informally arranged adoption.

The Bulgarian woman has already been served with preliminary charges of child selling.

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