Politis

Larnaca: Lost €254,000 in a 'phantom investment' - 79-year-old victim of online fraud

Published March 25, 2026, 09:19
Larnaca: Lost €254,000 in a 'phantom investment' - 79-year-old victim of online fraud

The Larnaca Police are investigating a new case of online fraud, where a 79-year-old man was scammed out of €254,679 by investing in a false investment advertisement. The victim responded to an advertisement for investments in stocks and cryptocurrencies and, convinced by the perpetrators, sent the amount to 15 different bank accounts abroad between January and March 2026. When he tried to withdraw his profits, he was asked to pay additional money, at which point he realized the fraud. The Police remind citizens to be careful with investments via the internet, not to trust promises of guaranteed profits, and to check the licensing of investment companies.