Cyprus resident loses more than 3,000 euros because of a fake letter from the “tax service”

The police are investigating a new case of online fraud involving a fake email sent purportedly on behalf of the Cyprus Tax Department.

According to the Nicosia Economic Crimes Unit, the complaint was filed after the woman fell victim to fraudsters and lost 3,134 euros.

According to the case file, on May 21, 2026, the complainant received an email notifying her of a tax refund she was allegedly entitled to. The message asked her to confirm her personal details through a special link.

After following the link, the woman found herself on a fake website that visually copied the Tax Department’s page. Following the instructions, she entered her personal data, bank card details, and then the one-time passwords sent to her phone.

Only after the bank notified her of two withdrawals totaling 3,134 euros did the victim realize that she had been defrauded.

The Nicosia police Economic Crimes Investigation Unit is handling the case.

Law enforcement officials have again urged the public to be especially cautious when receiving emails asking them to enter banking details or follow links. Police stressed that government services do not require financial information to be confirmed through suspicious websites or email.