The woman was luring clients for sex sexual for a fee, while their accomplice robbed them of cash and credit cards. He was sent to prison, while she was placed under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. The suspects are Gaetano Ambrosio, a 43-year-old from Gragnano, and his 50-year-old partner, Petrolina Guadagno, both residents of Pomigliano.
While she was having paid sex, her partner would retrieve debit or credit cards and PIN codes from the "clients'" wallets, sometimes replacing the stolen cards with others from the same bank, to delay the discovery of the theft.
The Trap: Sex and Skill
The scheme, according to the charges, was as simple as it was effective. Petrolina Guadagno solicited clients, primarily through online ads, and met them at a home in Pompeii for sexual intercourse. While the victim was distracted, the woman, working with her accomplice Gaetano Ambrosio, 44, stole his wallet.
The theft was carried out with particular skill. The victims were asked to leave their belongings in a separate room from the meeting place, out of their line of sight. In many cases, to delay discovery of the theft, the stolen ATM card was replaced with another one belonging to a previous victim.
Investigators have reconstructed how, in just over a year, the pair defrauded around twenty clients, netting them over €46. But the real "fool" to be plucked was a man from Castellammare di Stabia who fell for it twice. The first time (last February), he had over €23 in cash stolen from his bag. Not content with that, in April he had another encounter, this time with just over €5 in cash.
Then there were five customers who were defrauded of just over €2,000, and four others who were scammed out of over €1500. But there was also a "luckier" customer, who was only defrauded of €20. They had stolen a prepaid card that they had used to make purchases worth €20.
Investigations and precautionary measures
At the end of a complex investigation, the Public Prosecutor of the Torre Annunziata Court requested and obtained from the Preliminary Investigations Judge, Riccardo Sena, the issuance of a precautionary measure.
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Dozens of heists for a huge loot
The couple is under investigation for a long series of crimes committed between 2024 and 2025 in various locations, including Pompeii, Torre Annunziata, Scafati, and Castellammare di Stabia. The charges include aggravated theft through skill and the use of fraudulent means, and the improper use of payment instruments. Ambrosio is also charged with aiding and abetting and exploiting prostitution.
Immediately after the thefts, the cards were used for withdrawals and payments at tobacconists and other businesses, resulting in a total economic loss of tens of thousands of euros.
The Role of the Accomplice: Exploitation and Fake Badges
The charges against Gaetano Ambrosio don't stop with theft. He is also under investigation for aiding and abetting prostitution. According to investigators, he not only made his apartment available for meetings, but also posted ads online, acted as a go-between for clients, and split the profits with the woman.
Furthermore, he was found in illegal possession of blue flashing lights and fake traffic lights with the Carabinieri logo, which, according to the prosecution, were intended to simulate police activity. According to the warrant, the pair defrauded 20 people, for a total loot exceeding €46.000. Most of the thefts were carried out by skillfully stealing the victims' credit or debit cards, which were then promptly used for withdrawals and payments.
The 28.000 euro heist
The largest theft documented in the 150-page precautionary order signed by investigating judge Riccardo Sena of the Torre Annunziata Court concerns a 49-year-old man from Castellammare di Stabia, who was robbed of €28.050 in cash. Unlike the other cases, where the loot stemmed from the fraudulent use of credit cards, in this case the money was taken directly from the victim's work bag.
The scam occurred in two distinct phases, each following the same pattern. The first theft of €23.000 was committed in February 2025, followed by a second theft of €5.050 on April 14, 2025.
On both occasions, the aggravating circumstance of "sleight of hand" was crucial: while the man was in one room having paid sex with Petrolina Guadagno, his personal belongings, including the bag containing the money, had been left on a sofa in another, out-of-sight room. This tactic allowed the couple to operate undisturbed, stealing the large sum of money without the victim noticing.
Comments (1)
It's incredible how people can take advantage of others in this way. I hope justice is served and those responsible are severely punished for their dishonest and immoral actions.