Pafos Live 14 January 2025
The Customs Department proceeded with the seizure of a large quantity of tobacco products at Pafos airport.
According to an announcement by the Department of Customs, its officers at Pafos Airport yesterday chose to check the baggage of a three-member family of Turkish Cypriots with passports of the Republic of Cyprus, who were going to depart from Paphos for the United Kingdom.
During the inspection of the passengers' three bags, a total of 174 boxes of 200 cigarettes were found, which did not bear the marking for the harmful smoking in Greek and Turkish, nor the security feature and the unique traceability code, indications that they were duty-free. The aforementioned quantity of cigarettes was confiscated by the officers of the Customs and Excise Department, while the passengers were arrested for flagrant offences. They then abandoned the confiscated items for destruction and were released, after paying an amount of €8,100 for the extrajudicial settlement of the offences.
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Police are investigating a case of assault against a 29-year-old man, who was found around 1.10am today, injured in an abandoned building in Limassol.
According to the evidence under investigation, the 29-year-old was allegedly attacked by three unknown persons while outside the abandoned building, who after hitting him on the back with an unknown object, fled in an unknown direction.
The injured man was transported by ambulance to Limassol General Hospital, where it was found that he had a wound to the pneumothorax and was detained for hospitalization, with his health condition being considered serious, but stable.
Another person was identified at the scene, a 28-year-old man, who appears to be on friendly terms with the 29-year-old and is the person who found him injured and called the ambulance.
Subsequent examinations revealed that the 28-year-old has been staying illegally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus since 2022 and was arrested for the offence of illegal stay.
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Filenews
A new case of online fraud and extortion of a large amount of money is being investigated by the Police, following a complaint filed today with the ICF of Limassol, a 57-year-old woman.
According to the evidence under investigation, the 57-year-old, after searching the internet, found a specific website where investment plans for profit are displayed. Through an online application, last October, the 57-year-old contacted an unknown person, who convinced her to invest through this website.
In November and December, she invested in cryptocurrencies worth a total of 20,522 US dollars, while in December she transferred cryptocurrencies held in her online account, worth €16,762, to other online wallets.
When the 57-year-old later tried unsuccessfully to liquidate her winnings, she suspected she had been deceived and today filed a complaint with the police.
The fraud case is being investigated by the Financial Crime Investigation Office of the ICF of Limassol.
The Police, on the occasion of this new fraud report, recommends caution to the public, in relation to the conduct of any transactions and investments online.
The public is advised to cooperate only with recognized companies and approved advisors, for any financial investments and to be wary of offers that promise safe investments with guaranteed returns and high profits.
Please note that bank account and bank card details, passwords to online and email accounts, as well as other personal data, must be protected and never disclosed to any persons.
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The case of the death of the 24-year-old from Pakistan, apart from discussing the responsibilities of the police, the forensic service and other stakeholders, also highlights the intense activity of criminal elements in the buffer zone.
Cross-checked information of Filenews reports that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus have outlined the way criminal elements from the occupied areas who engage in smuggling and have even included in this context the serious incident of last Monday in Potamia.
During the journalists' involvement in the present case over the last 24 hours, it has been repeatedly stated that the appearance of the three vehicles on the day of the Epiphany in the hot triangle of the villages of Potamia – Dali – Louroutzina is linked to a specific person. It is indicative that in the show "First Briefing" and in the context of a discussion on the death of the 24-year-old by police fire, the action of "the baron of the occupied territories or his relative" was put in the sphere of discussion.
According to a competent source, the person in question is of Turkish Cypriot origin and is in his fifth decade of age. He is known to the authorities by his Turkish name, but also by the Greek, among others, nicknames that have been attributed to him from time to time. He comes from an occupied village adjacent to the area of Dali and Potamia.
It is related to smuggling of goods and animals, illegal weapons and explosives, while there are police reports of its involvement in drug trafficking cases. The same person has associates in the occupied areas who carry out illegal activities on his behalf, while at the same time he has links in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. His cooperation with a Turkish intelligence service is not excluded.
The case of the aforementioned is also brought to the attention of the Cyprus Police and the intelligence service of the Republic. The possibility of his involvement in last Monday's incident, and other matters, is already the subject of police examinations.
The subject of police examinations, according to police circles, is the black double-cab Nissan Navara that was moving around 20:00 last Monday night in Potamia and triggered the rules of engagement by the members of the MMAD (Anti-Poaching Squad).
Police have already investigated whether the four-wheel-drive double-cab vehicle is related to the well-known Turkish Cypriot smuggler. At the same time, a source who spoke to Filenews, expressed the position that the police are confident that the farm car in question had a central role in another identical case last year. And then the driver of the vehicle had turned it on a member of the police force, who fired a warning shot into the air.
This incident, as Filenews is aware, took place in early August 2024 shortly before 23:00 in the buffer zone and specifically in the area of Athienou – Potamia – Pyroi.
Members of the Anti-Poaching Unit of the MMAD while on patrol at this point noticed a car moving on the old road Athienou – Potamia within the buffer zone.
When the members of the MMAD headed towards him for interception and control, there was a reaction and an incident. Suddenly a second vehicle appeared, coming from the opposite direction and moving with lights off towards the vehicle of the members of Ulamu.
The members of the platoon started the lighthouse and one of the members of the Police signalled the car with the lights off to stop. The driver of the car moved menacingly towards the policeman, who fired a warning shot into the air for intimidation.
According to the police registration of the members of Ulamu, the car with the lights off was a black Nissan Navara double-cab without registration plates. It was the same type, that is, as the car involved in the Potamia incident last Monday.
After the shooting, the double cab moved backwards and fled towards the occupied areas.
According to the police registration of last August, an unknown number of people were in the double cabin.
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A footballer has complained to the trade union representing her that she was a victim of sexual harassment.
These allegations are set out in today's letter from the Cyprus Football Players Association (PASP) to the Cyprus Football Association (CFA). According to them, a member of her team's technical staff harassed the player.
According to Filenews, the women's footballer's claims are not limited to harassing behaviour through texting. He reportedly blames the team's coaching staff member for specific actions.
PASP in its letter to the CFA, signed by the legal advisor of the corporate. asks the latter whether there is a mechanism for handling such issues and, in particular, whether there is a procedure for providing psychological or other support to the athlete.
Information tells us that for the time being no complaint has been made to the Police to start a criminal investigation of the case. However, PASP's intention is to handle them properly. Both to shed light on the case, but also so as not to expose the athlete, who is an adult, but at a young age.
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Prison sentences of 15 to 18 months were imposed on five people following a trial of burglary and theft cases committed in the districts of Larnaka and Famagusta, according to a police statement.
As reported, in the Famagusta district, a 44-year-old man was sentenced to 15 months in prison, following the trial by the Famagusta District Court of cases of Church burglary and burglary of a building and theft, committed in 2023, as well as a case of car theft, committed in September, 2024.
It is noted that for car theft, as well as for two burglaries of buildings, committed in February and March, 2022, also in Famagusta district, a 15-month prison sentence was imposed on a 30-year-old man.
It is added that in the district of Larnaka, three persons, men aged 41 and 28 and a woman aged 22, were sentenced to imprisonment of 15 months, 18 months and 11 months respectively, following the trial by the Larnaca District Court, of a case of burglary of a building, committed in 2023.
According to the announcement, the three convicts had been arrested for flagrant offenses by members of the Police, who spotted them trying to remove aluminium from the premises of a building in Oroklini, on January 18, 2023, following a report of a burglary of the building.
Finally, it is reported that the cases were investigated by the Famagusta ICF and the Oroklini Police Station.
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The 18-year-old from Syria, who was wanted for the two robberies of food distributors committed on January 7, was caught while attempting to break into cars in Larnaca.
This is a person who arrived in our country as an unaccompanied minor and was employed many times by the Police for thefts and burglaries, mainly from cars.
Until he reached adulthood, the young man lived in a juvenile facility. According to the police, the suspect was located at 10 pm on Sunday after receiving information that an unknown person was trying to open a car, which was parked on a street in Larnaka.
In his possession were found a grinder with a small amount of cannabis, an iron fist, a hood, a knife and two bundles of car keys. He was initially arrested for the offences of unlawful possession of drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, stabbing, and unlawful possession of property.
When he was transferred to the ICF of Larnaka, it was found that a warrant was pending against him for the two robberies against delivery men and so he was rearrested.
The first robbery was committed against a 21-year-old delivery man at dawn last Tuesday in the center of Larnaka. The 21-year-old said that while delivering food to an unknown person, a second person approached him and pointed a knife at him. At the same time, a third person allegedly stole his moped, his mobile phone, as well as a sum of money.
Shortly after 9 p.m. on the same day, three people attacked a 22-year-old food delivery man in Tersephanou.
According to police, while the 22-year-old had parked his motorcycle, he was approached by car by three unknown persons.
The attackers, who had their faces covered with balaclavas, threatened the delivery man, one with a gun and the other two with knives and managed to extort a sum of money, his motorcycle keys, as well as a mobile phone.
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A 35-year-old woman from Russia died yesterday morning when she tried to enter her ex-boyfriend's apartment from the roof of the apartment building where the latter lives.
The unfortunate woman at first seems to have lost her balance and fell from a height of more than 12 meters, ending up in the parking lot of the building.
The circumstances under which the unimaginable tragedy occurred are under investigation by the investigators of the ICF of Limassol. The authorities are currently sparing in their positions on the incident. CCTV footage has already been received from the area to clarify the exact movements of the 35-year-old before the fatal fall.
According to information provided by "F", the woman entered the apartment building shortly after 9 am, taking advantage that the main entrance of the apartment building was open. She then climbed onto the rooftop, from where she allegedly tried to jump onto the balcony of her ex-boyfriend's apartment. The same information states that field investigations have found evidence indicating her presence on the roof.
The ICF of Limassol is currently investigating all possible scenarios, although the possibility of suicide is considered remote. The autopsy that will be performed on the body of the unfortunate woman is expected to provide answers about the condition in which she was located. Samples taken for toxicology tests will reveal whether the 35-year-old was under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time of the fall.
The body of the unfortunate woman was found by a cleaner of the apartment building, who immediately alerted the Police. Members of the Limassol Police Department, the Crime Detection Department and the Germasogeia Police Station rushed to the spot. Authorities cordoned off the area, while forensic pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodox Orthodox conducted an autopsy at the site of the tragedy.
Initial indications indicate that the 35-year-old tried to enter the fourth-floor balcony, where her ex-boyfriend's apartment is located, specifically the bedroom balcony.
Statements are expected to be taken in the case from the 35-year-old's ex-boyfriend, as well as from residents of the apartment building, who may have become aware of her presence.
In statements at the scene, the assistant head of the ICF of Limassol, Costas Michael, said that the Police were informed around 9:30 by a resident that there was an injured person in the parking lot of the apartment building. "It was found that this was a woman who was dead, while examinations revealed that the death was due to a fall from a height."
He noted that all possibilities remain open, while stressing that examinations are continuing to establish the circumstances of the death of the unfortunate 35-year-old.
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An unprecedented case of financial fraud, taking on huge dimensions, with dozens of complainers, mainly foreigners, who fell victim to a well-planned scheme by the 45-year-old suspect, an insurance intermediary, losing hundreds of thousands of euros in fake insurance policies.
The 45-year-old suspect, who allegedly extorted money from dozens of unsuspecting clients, was brought before the Limassol District Court this morning, while the offences of obtaining property by false representations, fraud, forgery, circulation of false documents and money laundering are being investigated.
The case concerns the operation of the suspect for a period of 6 years, with the 45-year-old allegedly preparing a safe deposit and contracts, promising high returns. As part of their contracts, the suspect allegedly handed them fake checks. After not receiving their money, customers contacted the insurance company, which confirmed the fraud.
The Court ordered that he be detained for a period of 7 days. The suspect, as mentioned in yesterday's report by Filenews, worked with a Pancyprian insurance company from 2017 until 2023. According to the facts of the case, during this period, the 45-year-old suspect, acting as an insurance intermediary, represented the security agency in question. It acquired, among others, several clients, Chinese nationals and permanent residents of Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and Nicosia.
To these customers the suspect offered insurance through the insurance company with an attractive term, while promising sure returns. However, everything seems to have been fake, unbeknownst to the insurance company. High returns were promised with fake contracts.
The case was revealed on November 24, 2023, when the director of the company's Life Division complained to the ICF Limassol about serious irregularities. Many customers presented receipts, cheques and contracts that turned out to be forged. The audit covered a difference of €719,524 between the money paid by customers and that recorded in the company's books. At the end of the aforementioned investigation, it was found that the check of receipts shows a difference of €719,524 from what is registered in the company's books compared to those presented by customers, as fake receipts with different amounts, names and dates were detected.
In addition, it appears that the suspect's business issued premium receipts for life policies of the insurance company, in breach of the relevant legislation. The three cheques presented to them were forged, and the company had no reason to issue them.
It was also found that the letters provided to them were forged, as they refer to lump sum payments that the company never received.
The statements of accounts submitted to them are also fabricated , since they contain information that does not appear to be in place. They also bear a forged stamp and forged signature of the director of the company. Among the victims is a Chinese woman who said she paid €229,500 for investment contracts that turned out to be fake. Similar complaints were made by other customers, amounting to tens of thousands of euros.
In another case, on 02/05/2024, a woman from China, accompanied by her son, was summoned and presented to the ICF of Limassol. She said that in 2016, due to the purchase of a car, the need arose to insure her car. In August 2017, after wanting to take out an investment life insurance policy in Cyprus, she turned to the suspect, who offered her and eventually concluded a contract for a period of 10 years, with an annual security of €5,000. In 2019, she applied for another insurance policy, again for 10 years, with an annual premium of €5,000, mediated by the suspect. By November 2023, she appears to have paid a total of €229,500 for the two insurance plans.
In October 2023, the complainant claimed a pension of more than €100,000 from her insurance policies and met with the suspect. However, when she contacted the insurance company, she uncovered the fraud.
The suspect was handcuffed yesterday and questioned in writing and refused to do so at this stage. The Financial Crime Investigation Office of the ICF Limassol continues its investigation, expecting to receive about 60 statements, mainly from victims-customers of the insurance company, but also from its associates and employees. The suspect's lawyer, although he did not object to his client's detention request, nevertheless asked several questions of the case examiner in relation to the complaints, the investigative work, as well as the statements to be taken.
The investigating judge, for his part, noted that the investigation was at an initial stage, while six members of the Financial Crime Investigation Office of the ICF Limassol are employed in the case.
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The 49-year-old Swede, his 54-year-old lawyer and the 44-year-old police officer accused of aiding the escape of the former have been indicted in a direct trial before the Permanent Assize Court to be held on February 11 in Larnaca.
The three defendants face serious charges that carry lengthy prison sentences. In total, they face 7 charges, the only common being conspiracy to commit a felony. The 49-year-old Swede, who escaped on December 22 from a private clinic in Larnaca, also faces offences of escape and money laundering. His lawyer, who allegedly assisted in his escape plan, faces charges of assisting a detainee to escape and money laundering. Particularly serious is the indictment against the 44-year-old policeman, who allegedly also helped in the Swede's escape. The defendant additionally faces charges of assisting a detainee, abuse of office and transactions suggesting corruption.
The proceedings continue before the Larnaca District Court, after the lawyer of the police officer and lawyer, Kypros Andreou, objected to their detention.
