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Most common scams in Cyprus

Cheryl

Hello everyone,

Settling in Cyprus as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online traps or getting charged at an expat rate, scams can occur in various ways.
We invite you to share your experience in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats be aware of potential scams in Cyprus.

What are the most common scams targeting expats in Cyprus?

What are the specific warning signs to look out for?

Have you noticed certain groups being more vulnerable (for example, retirees, new arrivals, or non-native speakers)?

What tips and advice would you like to share to help other expats?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
½ûÂþÌìÌà Team

See also

Living in Cyprus: the expat guideUK and USA on smart TVWaiting for ID cardsMobile calls back to the UKPest Control
Toon

Package delivery scam supposedly from companies. Companies youve never ever dealt with.


Traffic violations fines notification scam


When selling goods ..contact made via message and say they will send the money as can't meet but can get a courier to call with cash or to collect

Drambuie

I'm assuming the courier doesn't arrive with cash or is there a different scenario.

I received a SMS NOTICE few days ago referring to unpaid camera fine. I ignored it because my driving is exemplary 😄

Toon

Further scam to be aware of.. noted today ...


Be aware of this scam

A recent all from tel number 00357 96937140 claiming to be calling from central bank of Cyprus. Spoke in English (male voice) but couldn’t determine nationality of caller. Caller stated bank account would be closed unless passport and ID information is provided


Total scam. No bank will ever ask for that Information over the phone

Toon

Another scam I have just remembered involves a police office making video calls to their victims in what appears to be a fake Cyprus police officer uniform..


Can't remember the details of the actual scam now as it's a while back 


So watch the content very closely  and scrutinise what you see as well as what you hear....

SimCityAT

Package delivery scam supposedly from companies. Companies youve never ever dealt with.
Traffic violations fines notification scam

When selling goods ..contact made via message and say they will send the money as can't meet but can get a courier to call with cash or to collect - @Toon

The parcel scam seems to be everywhere. The driver is unable to deliver your package click the link to update your address etc..,..

Toon

Today's scam


The electricity authority of Cyprus (EAC) reported new incidents of an online electricity bill scam on Friday.


The messages falsely claim that an electricity bill remains unpaid with the title “FINAL NOTICE: Unpaid Electricity Bill 11256285404 – Risk of Interruptionâ€, urging the recipient to follow a link and proceed with the payment of their bill.


The EAC emphasized that the messages do not come from the agency and are an attempt at electronic fraud, also known as phishing.



The agency urged the public to exercise caution with emails that include links or attached files, which may redirect to misleading or malicious websites..


Source ... Cyprus Mail

Toon

Yet another scam surfaced this week.



The Police once again advise the public to be careful, as the fraud for alleged payment of extrajudicial fines continues.


According to a complaint filed yesterday at the Famagusta Traffic Police Station by a 53-year-old, he received a text message on his mobile phone, stating that he should proceed with the payment of an extrajudicial fine of 85 euros, for a traffic violation.


The 53-year-old followed the electronic link included in the message and after being transferred to a website that falsely appeared to be of a specific online payment company, he entered his bank account details, resulting in the perpetrators extorting the sum of 18,500 euros from him.


On the occasion of this new case of fraud and extortion, the Police informs the public that they never communicate with citizens in this way or through any other communication platform to invite citizens to pay any fines or for any other reason.


The Police draw the attention of citizens to avoid following such electronic links and to never mention or register their personal and banking details on unknown websites.

Drambuie

@Toon

I received one of those. He was in police uniform and there was a Cyprus flag on the wall. He asked me to confirm my identity etc.

I said OK then switched phone off for a while. Heard nothing more.

Toon

@Drambuie

I have seen the video call scam you mention and I think there was some sort of spelling mistake either on the uniform badge or the police backdrop ..

Drambuie

@Toon

Don't recall to be honest. I do recall that it would have been laughable had it not been for the poor **** that would have been taken in.

Toon

Yet another scam exposed today ..this time crypto based ..




Toon

Yet another s am exposed ..this time involving a well known petrol company.. I think. Petrolina points scam and imminent  points expiry..


Don t fall for it ..


..https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/07/28/paphos-victims-lose-e37000-in-phishing-scam

Toon

Here we go


The police issued a warning on Friday about a new scam with text messages purportedly from banks.


Already, several complaints have been made to the police regarding the text messages containing “information about unauthorised transactions or verification codesâ€.


The scammers then advise the recipients to call a telephone number.



“These are malicious actions aimed at extracting sensitive information and/or bank details and sums of money,†the police said.


The public are reminded not to call telephone numbers in suspicious or spam messages and not to provide personal or bank details over the phone or by sms.


The police urge the public to immediately inform their bank via official channels and file a complaint with the police at 22808200.


Source Cyprus Mail

phildraper

Any email or SMS with contact details or links is deleted. I work on the assumption that if it was the police or bank I will eventually get a letter or a call. I would then use the public number to contact them after terminating the inbound call.

Toon

Just received a telegram App message advising of a supposed traffic violation fine of 60euros and 2points on licence .I suspect scam ..as the ticket number doesn't exist or correspond or report on the official traffic cam fines website.


And has now disappeared from Telegram app


So beware everyone

SimCityAT

@Toon

Telegram is somewhat unreliable, and many scammers use it.

Toon

@SimCityAT

I believe it to be a scam

Toon

And another...


A 49-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday as police investigate a case of misappropriation of property by false representation and money laundering.


According to a police report made on June 11 to Paphos CID by a 75-year-old man, the suspect, from Nicosia, between May 2023 and October 2024 presented herself to him as a former bank employee.


She told him that she had connections and could help him acquire real estate and plots of land at bargain prices.



According to the complaint, the woman cheated the pensioner out of €720,000, while he later realised, no title deed is in his name.


Paphos CID is investigating.


Source Cyprus Mail