Police in Nicosia are investigating a scam involving fake text messages about supposedly unpaid out-of-court fines. Police are urging the public to be cautious, as the scam is continuing.
According to a complaint filed today, 28 October, with the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department, a 45-year-old woman received a message yesterday, 27 October, about a supposedly unpaid out-of-court fine. She followed the link in the message and was taken to a website, where she entered her vehicle registration details.
A fake document then appeared on the website, bearing the Republic’s logo and information about an alleged traffic offence carrying a fine of €6.59.
Police reiterate warnings
The woman selected the option to pay the supposed fine and entered her personal details, bank card details and one-time security code (OTP). The transaction was not completed. However, when she checked her online bank account, she found that €1,219 had been charged through a website she did not recognise.
The Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department is investigating the case.
Following this new case of fraud and money theft, Police reiterated that they do not contact members of the public in this way, or through any other communications platform, to ask them to pay fines or for any other reason.
Police urge the public to be especially cautious when receiving messages containing links. As a protective measure, they advise people not to follow such links and never to enter personal or banking details on unfamiliar websites.
To verify messages they receive, members of the public are encouraged to contact the organisations named in them through their published official communication channels.
Source: CNA
