This paper explores the synchronization control issue for a class of fractional-order Complex-valued Neural Networks (FOCVNNs) with additive time-varying delays (TVDs) utilizing a sampled-data-based event-triggered mechanism (SDBETM). First, an innovative free-matrix-based fractional-order integral inequality (FMBFOII) and an improved fractional-order complex-valued integral inequality (FOCVII) are proposed, which are less conservative than the existing classical fractional-order integral inequality (FOII). Secondly, an SDBETM is inducted to conserve network resources. In addition, a novel Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) enriched with additional information regarding the fractional-order derivative, additive TVDs, and triggering instants is constructed. Then, through the integration of the innovative FOCVII, LKF, SDBETM, and other analytical methodologies, we deduce two criteria in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to ensure the synchronization of the master–slave FOCVNNs. Finally, numerical simulations are illustrated to confirm the validity of the proposed results.