Newsroom
Police are investigating a new online fraud case involving a large sum of money after a 67-year-old man reported being swindled out of €200,000. The complaint was filed today at the Paphos Police Station, according to Cyprus Police.
The man told authorities that in July, he transferred €200,000 from his bank account to what he believed was a legitimate foreign bank account to invest in bank bonds. However, he later discovered that the account did not belong to the banking institution but was instead owned by an unknown individual who had deceived him.
The victim initially found the investment scheme online and communicated via email with someone posing as a bank official. This impersonator provided an email address and bank account details that closely resembled those of the actual bank. The 67-year-old sent the funds, only to realize later that the account belonged to a fraudster.
The Paphos Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is handling the case.
In light of this incident, the Police are warning the public to exercise extreme caution with online transactions. Scammers often create fake email addresses that closely mimic those of real individuals or institutions. They may claim that bank account details have changed and direct victims to send money to a new account.
To protect against such fraud, the public is advised to verify the legitimacy of any transaction by contacting the supposed partner or company through previously used or officially disclosed phone numbers before proceeding with any payments.
