Scammers defrauded a pensioner in Paphos of nearly €1,500

In Paphos, a 79-year-old man became a victim of telephone fraud and lost nearly €1,500. The scammers posed as online banking employees and convinced him that his account was under threat.

The call was received on January 30, 2026, from a number that appeared similar to an official bank number. The caller claimed that unknown individuals were allegedly trying to gain access to the funds and suggested taking urgent security measures.

Under pressure and fear, the man:

• shared his banking account login details;
• installed an application on his phone that was recommended to him;
• followed the caller’s instructions.

Later, when accessing his bank account, he discovered that €1,460 had been withdrawn. Realizing he had been deceived, the man contacted the police.

Law enforcement authorities once again warn citizens:

banks never ask for passwords over the phone and never request the installation of applications to protect accounts. In such cases, it is recommended to immediately end the call and contact the bank independently using official contact details.