ATHENS (AFP) - A young Greek actress who forgot her cellphone in an Athens cab found herself blackmailed for 1,500 euros (2,200 dollars) when the driver threatened to post sex footage stored inside the phone on the Internet, the Greek police department said on Friday.

The 30-year-old driver was arrested on Thursday after the unnamed actress gave him the demanded sum in marked currency.

The taxi driver, also unidentified, who had initially tried to peddle the sex footage to a reporter, told police he was facing "serious financial difficulties."

The behaviour of taxi drivers in Greece usually tops visitors' grudge lists with complaints ranging from boorish conduct and rip-off pricing to general uncleanliness.

The union representing Athens' some 15,000 taxi drivers has repeatedly promised to organise behavioural seminars for its members but the effect on the street has been minimal.