Newsroom
A 45-year-old man was arrested at Larnaca International Airport on Friday in connection with an alleged online apartment rental scam that police say targeted multiple people looking for housing.
According to police, the man is being investigated for alleged extortion by false pretenses, theft, impersonation, and money laundering.
The case began after five individuals filed complaints on May 6 with authorities in the Famagusta district, saying they had responded to apartment rental advertisements posted online.
Police said the listings appeared legitimate at first, but investigators later discovered the apartments did not belong to the person advertising them.
The suspect allegedly convinced the victims to transfer money in connection with renting the properties, only for the apartments to turn out to be unavailable or falsely represented.
Following investigations, police said evidence emerged linking the 45-year-old to the case, leading authorities to obtain a court warrant for his arrest.
He was arrested shortly before 10:30 a.m. Friday by officers at the airport and taken into custody for questioning.
The Famagusta Criminal Investigation Department is continuing the investigation.
The incident is the latest reminder of how online rental scams are becoming increasingly common in Cyprus, especially as rising rents and limited housing availability push many people to search urgently for apartments online.
Students, young workers, and foreign residents are often among the most vulnerable, particularly during busy rental periods when competition for affordable housing is intense.
Police have repeatedly urged the public to be cautious when sending deposits or advance payments for properties advertised online, especially if they have not viewed the apartment in person or verified ownership details.
