A woman defrauded 12 persons out of more than €100,000 by enticing them to invest their hard-earned money in a lucrative business revolving around the sale of detergents.

The victims gave the alleged fraudster chance after chance, but decided to go to the police when they realised the promised profits would never materialise.

Inspector Anne Marie Xuereb explained in court how Tania Borg, 35, of Attard, a currently unemployed mother of three, used to encourage her victims by whetting their appetite with the promise of significant profits.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, heard how a father and son had each invested €15,000. A Gozitan couple, where the husband was a stroke victim, had likewise handed over some €35,000 to the alleged fraudster.

Another two of the victims had entrusted the woman with €10,000 and €30,000 respectively. The head of another family had even withdrawn his life policy to invest the funds in the business, getting no return on his investment.

Lawyer Franco Debono, appearing as defence counsel, argued that his client had already begun to refund her alleged victims and could only continue to do so if granted bail, hinting further that the woman had herself been the victim of loan sharks.

Inspector Elton Taliana, also prosecuting, pointed out that the victims had given her endless chances, only filing a report when they could not take it any longer. Besides, there still existed the risk of tampering with evidence since not all victims had released a sworn statement.

Magistrate Mifsud, while rejecting bail, observed that such cases were on the rise, so much so that the Economic Crimes Squad had increased its members.

"Anybody who wishes to turn a quick penny must work and, when investing, should invest in serious ventures rather than fall for apparently profitable schemes tendered by those bent only on making fast money," the magistrate declared in an appeal to society.