28-year-old man arrested at Larnaca airport for online banking fraud

A 28-year-old man was arrested at Larnaca Airport on August 22 while attempting to depart the Republic of Cyprus. The arrest follows an investigation by the Paphos Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into a significant online fraud case reported in February 2026.

The victim, a 49-year-old man, reported that he received a telephone call from an individual impersonating a banking official. The caller’s number appeared on the victim's phone as the name of his actual bank, claiming that his accounts were being compromised. Under these false pretenses, the victim was persuaded to disclose his personal banking credentials. Subsequently, over 6,800 euros were illicitly withdrawn from two of his accounts.

The suspect was brought before the Paphos District Court, which ordered him to be held in police custody for five days. The Economic Crime Investigation Office of the Paphos CID is continuing its inquiries into the matter as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.