Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
It started quietly, as most investigations do. Whispers of a network helping foreign domestic workers obtain fake residence permits reached the Crime Prevention Department (CPS). For weeks, detectives worked behind the scenes, piecing together evidence that pointed to a well-organized operation taking advantage of Cyprus's immigration system.
On December 2, 2025, their efforts paid off. Teams from the CPS and the Aliens and Immigration Service carried out coordinated raids in Limassol and Nicosia, targeting individuals believed to be at the center of the alleged scam. By the end of the day, three suspects were in custody: a 39-year-old Greek Cypriot woman and two foreign men, aged 46 and 53.
Authorities allege that the suspects ran a scheme to issue fake residence permits for foreign domestic workers. Investigators have already tied the group to at least three cases, including two where domestic workers left Cyprus for other European countries. The suspects are said to have facilitated their travel and documentation in exchange for money.
But this may just scratch the surface. Police are now digging into the possibility of other cases connected to the suspects, suggesting the operation may be broader than initially thought.
The raids were precise and deliberate. Early in the day, officers moved in, arresting the 39-year-old woman and the 46-year-old man. By afternoon, the 53-year-old man was also taken into custody.
The following day, the suspects were brought before the Nicosia District Court. The court approved five-day detention orders for the woman and the 46-year-old man to give investigators more time to build their case. The 53-year-old was expected to face a similar detention order later that day.
Police believe the group exploited the desperation of domestic workers looking for better opportunities. By promising fake permits and a pathway to other European countries, they allegedly profited while undermining Cyprus's immigration system.
The charges against the suspects include conspiracy to commit a felony, creating and circulating false documents, extortion, threats, and violations of the Aliens and Immigration Act.
While three people are in custody, police are still searching for a fourth suspect believed to be part of the operation. Authorities hope that arresting this individual will help unravel the full extent of the network.
For law enforcement, these arrests represent a victory, but they also shine a light on vulnerabilities in Cyprus's immigration system. If proven, the alleged scam didn’t just exploit individuals—it weakened trust in the legal processes designed to protect workers and residents alike.
As investigators continue their work, the case underscores the need for vigilance and justice. For those allegedly behind the operation, the legal noose is tightening. For Cyprus, this is a chance to close loopholes and ensure fairness in its immigration framework.
