Police withdrew a warning about handwritten notes left on car windscreens in Limassol after the company behind the campaign clarified that the notes were part of a marketing strategy.
The initial warning was issued after police received complaints from concerned members of the public, who had reported finding handwritten notes on car windscreens urging drivers to download an app that appeared to offer information about criminal activity in their area.
Police had warned at the time that the notes could be linked to fraudsters seeking to steal money or personal data.
After the warning was published, Rockup contacted Filenews English and said there had been a “significant misunderstanding” over the nature of the initiative.
The company said Rockup was a legitimate mobile app developed by a local team based in Cyprus, and that the handwritten notes were part of a trial marketing phase in which it was testing different offline communication methods.
Rockup said it had not anticipated that the approach could be seen as misleading or alarming and apologised for any confusion caused.
Police, speaking to Philenews English, said the force had acted after citizens were alarmed and several complaints and reports were received. They said police later identified the company, and verified that the notes were part of a marketing strategy.
Following that clarification, police withdrew the initial announcement.
