€17,000 withdrawn from man’s account in Paphos after clicking SMS link

The Tax and Customs Administration of Cyprus is investigating an online fraud worth €17,000 in Paphos involving a 55-year-old victim.

According to police, on Monday, a man with an account at a commercial bank reported that he received a text message on his mobile phone containing a link to pay an out-of-court fine.

According to the complaint, when the man clicked the link, a website opened stating that a fine of €85 was pending review and that he could pay it immediately by clicking another link.

He then received a message from his bank informing him that two bank transfers totaling €17,000 had been made from his account to unknown bank accounts.

We warn you: never enter personal or banking details through links sent via SMS or email without verification.