Teenager arrested in Famagusta for possessing and circulating counterfeit money

On August 24, 2026, an 18-year-old man was arrested in the Famagusta district of Cyprus for the alleged possession and circulation of counterfeit euro banknotes. The investigation began after police received intelligence about two 50-euro notes with identical serial numbers that had been retrieved from an employee at a local business.

Following initial inquiries, authorities identified the teenager as a suspect. A subsequent body search revealed two additional 50-euro notes in his possession sharing the same serial number. A further search of his hotel room led to the discovery and seizure of 19 more identical 50-euro notes, bringing the total number of confiscated counterfeit banknotes to 23. The suspect appeared before the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni on August 25, which issued a three-day remand order to allow for further investigation into the case.

This incident coincides with a broader public warning from the Cyprus Police's National Banknote Analysis Center regarding the circulation of fake 10, 20, 50, and 100-euro notes in the country. Law enforcement continues to investigate the source of the counterfeit money and potential accomplices involved in the distribution network.