larnaca scam — An elderly woman in Larnaca became a victim of a phone scam, losing valuable gold jewellery and personal items to fraudsters impersonating government officials.
- larnaca scam — An elderly woman in Larnaca became a victim of a phone scam, losing valuable gold jewellery and personal items to fraudsters impersonating government officials.
On Wednesday, around 12:30, the woman received a phone call from an unknown female, who claimed to represent the government, offering free domestic assistants for elderly residents. The caller requested personal information to process an application, which set off a chain of events that would lead to the theft.
Following the initial call, the woman was transferred to a male accomplice, who falsely identified himself as a representative from the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. He claimed there was a leak in her home that posed a fire risk, escalating the urgency of the situation.
The imposter instructed her to remove her valuables for safety. While still on the line, she placed her jewellery and gold items in a basket on her balcony, believing she was following official advice. The scammer then told her to go back inside and switch off the main electrical circuit, further manipulating her trust.
Upon returning to her balcony, the woman discovered that her valuables had been stolen from the basket. Witnesses reported seeing an unknown male leaving the vicinity on foot, but his direction remains unconfirmed.
The Kofinou Police Station is currently investigating the incident, looking into the details surrounding the scam and seeking any further evidence that might lead to the perpetrators’ identification.
