Police in Cyprus have issued an urgent warning to the public over a fraud ring impersonating officers from the Cybercrime Sub-Directorate in a bid to swindle victims out of their personal data and their savings.
According to reports received by police, the fraudsters telephone members of the public and, speaking fluent Greek, falsely present themselves as officers investigating cybercrime. The numbers used appear on caller ID as ordinary Cypriot landlines, though police say they are now examining whether these are in fact spoofed numbers, with the calls potentially originating from abroad.
Once a victim answers, the callers spin a convincing tale: that the person on the other end of the line has already fallen victim to an online scam. They then press their targets to hand over personal details — bank information included — under the pretext of “investigating” the supposed fraud, when in reality it is the prelude to the real theft.
Police are urging the public to be on their guard, stressing that the fraudsters’ ultimate aim is straightforward: to harvest personal data and empty bank accounts. Members of the public are advised not to follow any instructions given during such calls and, above all, never to disclose personal details to a caller under any circumstances.
Anyone who believes they may already have been duped into handing over banking details is urged to contact their bank immediately, so that steps can be taken to prevent money being stolen from their account.
Police stressed, finally, that they never contact members of the public in this manner.
