She promised Moldovans decent working conditions and a good salary in Italy, when in fact those who fell for her offer only received a few hundred euros, of which they had to pay for so-called services offered to them. The case concerns a 40-year-old Moldovan female suspected of being part of an international illegal migration group, according to a General Police Inspectorate press release.

In the advertisements she placed, the Moldovan woman promised assistance in getting jobs as caregivers for the elderly. People interested in the offer were assured that they would have an eight-hour working schedule, accommodations and that they would not have trouble staying in the EU after the three-month stay period, which is the maximum stay period allowed on the basis of the biometric passport.

For the most part, the offer was designed for vulnerable people. They were transported to Italy by regular coaches on the basis of Moldovan biometric passports. When they overstayed their three-month period, the suspects made arrangements with customs officers at border crossings in Hungary and Romania, who did not impose bans. Each person who overstayed paid the suspects €100.

Additionally, the victims paid between €200 and €300 for a second biometric passport so they could return to Italy. Another €550 to €700 were deducted from their first salary.

During the searches that were conducted at the suspects' homes, the following items were seized: draft documents reflecting the criminal activity, residence permits, documents and money transfers from the victims to the suspects.

Italian police officers detained two people, a 40-year-old man from the Republic of Moldova who was responsible for transporting people to Italy and a woman from Romania who was responsible for employment. The Italian police seized four minibuses and a coach, which were transporting the victims.

Under Moldovan law, if found guilty, the suspects face a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.