A 64-year-old woman from Kosovo has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, with nine months to be served immediately, and a seven-year ban from Switzerland following a conviction for multiple counts of commercial fraud. The verdict was delivered by the Bülach District Court on March 10, 2026, according to a statement released by the court.
The case centers around a decades-long scheme targeting a Swiss pensioner in his 70s, who was identified in court as the victim. The woman repeatedly solicited funds from the man, fabricating elaborate stories of financial hardship, including invented accidents, hospital stays, and even imprisonment. She claimed to possess property in Kosovo that she intended to sell, but consistently cited bureaucratic obstacles requiring further investment.
Prosecutors argued the woman exploited the victim’s “great nature” and “helpful disposition,” ultimately defrauding him of approximately 1.1 million euros between 2012 and 2016. The victim, according to the prosecution, was driven to financial ruin, requiring financial assistance from his brother to cover his losses. The pensioner continued to provide funds, believing the woman’s repeated assurances of repayment and fearing the loss of his initial investment.
The defendant, who has a prior conviction for attempting to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits using falsified wage slips in 2017, maintained her innocence throughout the trial. She admitted to receiving a single loan of 10,000 Swiss francs, which she claimed to have repaid, and denied any knowledge of the loan agreements presented as evidence by the prosecution. She similarly asserted that she had never traveled to Sarajevo, despite the victim’s testimony and documented flights in his passport indicating multiple trips to deliver cash payments.
The court rejected the defendant’s claims, citing inconsistencies in her statements and the corroborating evidence provided by the victim and his brother. The presiding judge stated that the defendant had acted “raffinatedly,” consistently applying pressure to the victim. The court found no evidence of victim culpability, emphasizing the vulnerability of the pensioner and the deliberate targeting of his retirement savings.
The prosecution had requested a five-year prison sentence and a ten-year ban from Switzerland. While the court imposed a shorter prison term, it upheld a seven-year banishment order, rejecting arguments that such a measure would constitute undue hardship. The court also ruled in favor of the victim’s claim for damages.
The defense had argued for a full acquittal, contending that the defendant led a modest life and that a substantial influx of funds would have been noticeable. They also argued against the banishment order, citing the defendant’s long-term ties to Switzerland, where she has three adult children and six grandchildren.
The case highlights the challenges of prosecuting economic crimes in Switzerland, as noted in reporting from February 2026 regarding a separate case involving a businessman accused of fraud. The court’s decision in this case is not yet final and is subject to appeal.
