Man arrested in fake marriage inquiry

Cyprus police have detained a young man from Pakistan in connection with an ongoing investigation into a possible fake marriage.

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According to police, a 21-year-old male from Pakistan was arrested in Larnaca on Tuesday by immigration police officers on suspicions he had a sham marriage with a 19-year-old female from Europe.

Police said on Wednesday that investigators were looking into possible marriage fraud offences that may have been committed back in June 2018, when the man married the woman in exchange for money.

The bride was reportedly being handled by CID Larnaca together with the Office of Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, a special unit within Cyprus police.

Charges in the case include conspiracy to commit a felony, human trafficking, exploitation, assisting in unlawful entry, illegal marriage, and registration on false pretences.

The suspect was later remanded in custody for eight days while according to statements from the bride, there were other people involved including a Greek Cypriot male acquaintance.