Police warn public of fraudulent SMS scams in Cyprus

Cypriot authorities issued an urgent public warning on September 18, 2026, regarding a surge in phishing scams involving fraudulent text messages (SMS). Perpetrators are impersonating the Cyprus Police to deceive citizens into paying fake traffic fines. The messages typically contain a malicious link that directs recipients to a fraudulent website designed to steal personal information, bank credentials, and financial assets.

The Police have officially clarified that these messages are illegitimate and have no connection to the force. Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution by avoiding any links sent by suspicious or unknown numbers via SMS, email, or instant messaging applications. Users are strictly advised against entering sensitive data on unverified websites.

To verify the legitimacy of any pending legal or traffic-related matters, officials recommend that citizens contact the Cyprus Police exclusively through their established and official communication channels. The police force continues to monitor these incidents and advises citizens to remain vigilant as these scam tactics evolve.