Authorities in Nicosia are probing a new online scam where a woman was duped out of €10,000 after responding to a fake loan advert on social media, highlighting escalating cybercrime tactics in Cyprus.
Police in Nicosia are investigating a new online fraud after a woman was tricked out of €10,000 in what began as a fake loan advert on social media, according to the Cyprus Police.
The complainant told officers she clicked through a link in the post and entered personal details, including her name and phone number, on a website linked to the offer. On July 24, unknown callers then contacted her and told her to transfer €10,000 as a guarantee before the loan could be released. They sent her a QR code and urged her to complete the payment online, which she did before later realising she had likely been deceived.
The case is being handled by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit at Nicosia police headquarters. It fits a wider pattern of frauds in Cyprus that have increasingly relied on false messages, imitation payment requests and pressure tactics to push victims into moving money quickly. In December 2025, Limassol police examined a nearly US$9,745 scam involving a forged email from a supposed supplier, while in March police investigated a separate case in which fake GESY messages led to a loss of €10,010.
Authorities in Cyprus have repeatedly urged the public to verify any request for money or personal information before acting. The Office of the Commissioner of Communications also offers a GetSafeOnline tool to check whether a website may be fraudulent, and the Cyprus Police say cybercrime complaints can be filed through its Cybercrime Unit. Officials advise victims to preserve evidence and report suspected fraud promptly.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
