Second arrest in Spanish prisoner scam

A second suspect is in police custody in Paphos in connection with a Spanish prisoner scam, where a 63-year-old woman was duped into wiring a total of €117,000 to a man she met online.

(Click here for an update to the story)

Following the arrest of a 60-year-old man, Paphos police arrested a 35-year-old foreign national who is accused of receiving money on false pretences.

The 35-year-old reportedly admitted to police that he received money but said he took it on behalf of another man, who is also wanted by police.

The victim, a retired teacher, met a man on social media through Facebook, where two years ago he told her that he was a medical doctor with the UN and was serving in Syria.

In February 2018, according to the victim’s complaint, the man online told her that he feared for his life in the war-stricken country. He also asked her to meet with another person who would come to Cyprus and bring money so that she could deposit it into a Cypriot bank account.

But a few days later, a male caller contacted the woman telling her he was detained at Ercan airport in north Nicosia and officials wouldn’t let him go unless he paid €57,000. He then asked her to wire the amount and another €60,000 later on for other reasons.

When she realised she was duped into losing her money, she called the police.