Cypriot police arrest suspects in separate phishing fraud cases

Cypriot authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with separate phishing scams involving fraudulent text messages. On October 5, 2026, a 23-year-old was arrested in Limassol following a February complaint from a 64-year-old woman, who lost €34,600 after clicking a link in a message posing as a courier company. The suspect remains in custody as investigations by the cybercrime unit continue.

Separately, a 24-year-old Pakistani national was arrested on October 6, 2026, by Larnaca police for his alleged role in a criminal network targeting elderly citizens. The suspect is accused of sending messages disguised as "traffic CY" or "CY MEDICAL" to obtain banking credentials. Two victims, aged 76 and 68, lost a combined total of €4,733. On October 7, the Larnaca District Court ordered the 24-year-old to be held in pre-trial detention for eight days. Police are currently searching for accomplices and investigating reports that the stolen funds were used to purchase luxury goods.