Pafos Live 2 October 2025
Online fraud and extortion of a sum of money, amounting to more than €64.000, was reported today by a 78-year-old man, to the Financial Crime Investigation Office of the Paphos Police Department.
According to the complaint made by the 78-year-old, during the month of August, he received a friend request from an unknown person on a social networking platform on the internet, which he accepted.
Subsequently and according to him, there was communication via text messages with an unknown person, who, through various pretexts, convinced the 78-year-old and sent him during the month of September, via bank transfers, more than €64.000.
The above amount was sent to 16 bank accounts in various countries.
The Police, on the occasion of this new complaint of online fraud, recommends caution to the public, in relation to conducting acquaintances and conversations on the internet, mainly with unknown persons. Furthermore, it is recommended to the public to avoid sending money or registering personal information to other people or accounts, which it cannot verify.
* * * * * *
Serious complaint from a citizen about overcharging taxi drivers from Paphos airport to the city of Paphos. According to a written complaint made to the Department of Road Transport, travelers who arrived in the last few days paid the amount of €75 for the route from the airport to the city of Paphos, for which under normal circumstances the charge should not exceed €35.
The complaint even states that when another passenger suggested that the price was excessive, his answer was: "Let him go with the pothkia if he doesn't like it."
* * * * * *
The president of the Cultural-Environmental Club of Chloraka, Andreas Kyriakou, denounces new incidents of vandalism at the "Vrysi" Cultural Center in Chloraka. A group of unscrupulous young people, as Mr. Kyriakou notes, "acted once again and caused serious damage to the premises of this Cultural space by burning the plastic carpet, destroying curtains, filling the center with garbage, leaving behind an image of abandonment."
The president of the group called for immediate measures to be taken and the area to be protected. "Unfortunately, things with juvenile delinquency have gone awry and moral principles are almost non-existent. The State in general must do much more if we really want this place to survive. Where are we really going if these young people are our future?"
* * * * * *
The Police arrested a 25-year-old person yesterday, as part of an investigation into a case of locating and seizing methamphetamine with a gross weight of one kilogram and 620 grams.
The drugs were found in a postal package which was confiscated by members of YKAN. The recipient of the package was listed as the 25-year-old, who was arrested on a court warrant and taken into custody to facilitate investigations.
Today he is expected to be presented before the District Court of Nicosia, for the issuance of a detention order.
YKAN (Nicosia District Unit) is investigating the case.
* * * * * *
A motorcycle accident occurred in Kato Paphos. Under circumstances that are being investigated, a driver of a large-displacement motorcycle lost control of the motorcycle, resulting in a crash. According to the Police, the young driver avoided stopping at a Police checkpoint and accelerated, resulting in him losing control of his motorcycle and ending up on the ground. Police are ιnvestigating the causes of the accident, while an ambulance was also called. More information about his health condition is expected after the official update from the Police. Initial information from the Police Press Office indicates that he is out of danger.
* * * * * *
Filenews
A new blow to illegal bird trapping was recorded last Tuesday in the province of Famagusta, where in an operation by the Bases Police in collaboration with environmental organizations, an active point with four set nets and two audiomimetic devices was identified. The trapper was arrested and will be brought to justice.
According to the organizations, the cooperation with the British Bases Police, which began in 2016, has led to significant results. Dozens of cases of illegal trapping resulted in successful convictions, while trapping levels within the Bases decreased by 90% in 2024. It is estimated that about 92,000 birds were killed last year, compared to 880,000 in 2016, when illegal activity was at its peak.
The organizations thanked the Base Police for the continued cooperation, but warned that the relaxation of controls could again lead to a dangerous increase in trapping. At the same time, they called on the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to follow the same effective law enforcement model, in order to put a definitive end to this illegal practice.
* * * * * *
A coordinated operation was carried out yesterday in Nicosia, in which members of the Police, the Health Services of the Municipality of Nicosia, the VAT Department, the Fire Service, as well as members of the E.O.A. participated.
During the operation, inspections were carried out in apartment buildings and houses, for legality, safety and hygiene issues.
Results
Inspections were carried out in 8 apartment buildings and houses in various areas of Nicosia.
A person who was staying illegally on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus was located, who was arrested.
The Fire Brigade found violations regarding gas cylinders, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers.
The Health Services identified issues of cleanliness and public health, while the HOA found unlicensed or dangerous areas.
The Tax Department will carry out audits for the payment of taxes by the owners where required.
Operations will continue, with the aim of protecting citizens and ensuring legality.
* * * * * *
The "charges" related to "illegal entry into foreign property" and "causing concern" against the 5 Greek Cypriots illegally imprisoned in the occupied territories were withdrawn on Wednesday during the proceedings in the "district court" of Trikoma.
The "prosecution" stated that they decided not to proceed with "prosecution" for these "charges" and the "court" decided that the 5 Greek Cypriots are acquitted of them.
Subsequently, the proceedings for the "accusation" of "violation of personal data" against two of the Greek Cypriots continued.
The "prosecution" said that they intend to make an addition regarding this matter and asked for a postponement, with the "court" rescheduling the procedure for October 21.
CNA
* * * * * *
Both the rope and the stake were taken out by various metal thieves, who for some time now have expanded their activity in the countryside, where they mainly attack the homes of the elderly, who are unable to react and chase them.
Of course, when they find fertile ground (absence of owners, etc.) they do not hesitate to break into homes of the elderly.
The latest case occurred in Alona, when thieves illegally entered the home of an 85-year-old woman, grabbing a cover of a large copper cooking utensil. The issue is not the value of the object but the fact that when the 85-year-old noticed the thieves she left the house to ask for explanations, they reversed and almost hit her with their vehicle. And of course then, ignoring what might have happened to the elderly woman, they drove off and disappeared.
The community leader of Alona, Mr. Michalis Nikiforou, stated that people seem to be active in the area who steal copper or other metals, causing damage to houses and facilities. They don't just steal metals but anything they find that they think has value and that they can sell in the bazaar, he said.
Mr. Nikiforou told Filenews that similar cases had been observed in the past and while for some time it seems that the activity of thieves has waned, now the phenomenon is reappearing. Asked about this, he said that in reality there is no policing, so residents, especially in the countryside, are vulnerable to cases of attempted theft, while there is also insecurity.
Asked about this, he said that cameras have been installed in the building of the community council for control purposes.
The president of the Union of Communities, Mr. Andreas Kitromilidis, with whom we contacted, said that a large problem of theft of metals or various objects had been observed during the economic crisis after 2013, but then the phenomenon was significantly reduced.
Regarding policing, he said that the Union of Communities is discussing this issue with the government and the goal is to approve the recruitment of at least one local police officer per complex, so that there is some form of policing. Initially, we raised the issue of reinstating the neighborhood police officer in all complexes, but the issue is also being discussed in the context of the reform, said Mr. Kitromilidis. As he explained, in the context of the reform of Local Government, sponsorship could also be included for the recruitment of community police officers (one per cluster) so that residents feel some form of security.
Asked about this, Mr. Kitromilidis said that the Union of Communities requests that these police officers have some responsibilities, the scope of which is under discussion.
