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Authorities in Limassol are investigating a case of online fraud in which a company lost more than €37,000 after being misled by a fraudulent email.
According to police, the scam targeted a Cypriot business through correspondence that appeared to come from a European supplier. The company, following routine communication, agreed to pay an invoice for goods. Shortly afterward, it received an email claiming the supplier’s bank account had changed and providing new account details for the payment.
On Sept. 25, the Cypriot company transferred €37,700 to the account listed in the email. It later learned, after contacting the supplier directly, that the message was fake and the bank account did not belong to the supplier.
The Limassol Criminal Investigation Department’s Financial Crime Investigation Office is now handling the case.
Police urged businesses to verify any payment instructions by contacting suppliers via phone numbers previously used or listed in earlier communications before transferring funds. Company directors are also advised to educate staff on such fraud attempts and establish internal procedures for confirming payment requests.
