A Żabbar couple has been handed suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of defrauding an 85-year-old woman out of tens of thousands of euro through a bogus investment scheme.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech ruled that Marquita Farrugia and Kurt Muscat ran a fraudulent operation between 2017 and 2020, convincing the elderly victim to hand over her savings for a non-existent investment. When the woman grew suspicious, the pair tried to calm her by claiming that the supposed deal was awaiting approval from then minister José Herrera.

The scam cost the woman €45,200. The case also included allegations that unlicensed firearms and ammunition were found at another Żabbar address linked to the pair, and that they had harassed and threatened Herrera and others.

Initially, both Farrugia and Muscat pleaded guilty to 14 charges in July 2025, but the court did not accept the plea due to a confusingly drafted charge sheet that failed to clearly distinguish their respective roles.

Evidence later showed that Muscat alone possessed the unlicensed weapons, while Farrugia was solely responsible for harassment.

The court ultimately found Muscat guilty of fraud and firearms offences, but not harassment. Farrugia was convicted of fraud and harassment, but cleared of weapons charges.

Both were sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for four years. Muscat was also fined €1,200, had his firearms confiscated, and was banned from holding a gun licence for five years.

They were ordered to reimburse the victim €42,200, the remaining amount of the defrauded funds, and to pay €781.55 in expert fees. A three-year restraining order was issued in favour of Herrera and the others they had targeted.