Police warn of rising smishing and impersonation scams in Cyprus

Cypriot authorities are investigating a surge in financial fraud involving text messages and phone calls impersonating police. On October 27, 2026, a 45-year-old woman in Nicosia fell victim to a phishing scheme after receiving an SMS regarding an unpaid traffic fine of €6.59. By following a link and entering her banking credentials, she unknowingly authorized a transaction that resulted in a loss of €1,219.

In a separate incident reported by the Paphos police, a 37-year-old woman was defrauded of €784 on October 28. In this case, an English-speaking caller posing as a police officer contacted the victim, whose phone screen displayed a fraudulent email address instead of a standard caller ID. After being convinced to provide her banking details for a fake fine payment, her account was illicitly debited.

The Cyprus Police have issued a formal advisory, clarifying that they never communicate with citizens via SMS or unsolicited calls to collect fines. Officials emphasize that citizens should avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal data. Investigations into both cases are currently ongoing under the Economic Crime Investigation units in Nicosia and Paphos.