A 52-year-old woman in Limassol was arrested for defrauding individuals of over 430,000 euros by posing as a real estate agent and deceiving them into investing in land sales and paying for non-existent apartment rentals. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the fraud and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
What was the nature of the real estate fraud case in Limassol?
A 52-year-old woman was arrested in Limassol for defrauding individuals of over 430,000 euros. Posing as a real estate agent, she targeted victims including an 81-year-old man, deceiving them into investing in land sales and paying for non-existent apartment rentals. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the fraud.
Overview of the Arrest
A major breakthrough has occurred in a serious case of fraud and embezzlement in Limassol, culminating in the arrest of a 52-year-old woman. The suspect allegedly posed as a real estate agent and is accused of defrauding individuals of over 430,000 euros. This substantial sum was illicitly obtained from unsuspecting victims through land sales and apartment rentals.
Details of the Fraudulent Transactions
Targeting an Elderly Victim
Central to the investigation is the claim that the suspect targeted an 81-year-old man, exploiting his trust over a period from March 2022 to December 2023. She allegedly convinced him to invest in two plots of land, which resulted in a staggering loss of 416,500 euros for the elderly individual. The methods she used to secure these funds involved various false pretenses, which are currently being scrutinized by the authorities.
Deceiving Family Members
In a related complaint, authorities learned that the same suspect had defrauded the aforementioned 81-year-old victim and his 52-year-old relative at an earlier stage. The total amount reportedly taken from them was 11,983 euros. Here, the suspect’s modus operandi involved presenting herself as a real estate agent capable of assisting them in selling their own land.
Additional Victims and Rental Scams
The pattern of deception extended to two more individuals, who reported separate incidents to the Limassol CID on January 4th. These men, aged 31 and 54, were conned into handing over a total of 3,100 euros for apartment rentals that never materialized. The suspect lured the 31-year-old with photographs of an apartment last August, while the 54-year-old was shown only the external appearance of a building in September 2023. Despite partial reimbursement to the 54-year-old, the full amount was never returned.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Following the accumulation of these allegations, an arrest warrant was quickly issued for the suspect. Once located, she was detained by members of the Limassol CID and taken into custody. The initial court proceedings resulted in a seven-day detention order, giving the police the necessary time to conduct a thorough investigation into the extent of the fraud.
In these cases, the authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and conduct proper due diligence when engaging in real estate transactions. It’s a reminder of the importance of verifying the credentials of individuals claiming to be real estate agents and to report any suspicious activities to the police.
Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation unfolds, the authorities are examining the full scope of the suspect’s activities. The involvement of additional victims has not been ruled out, and the police are appealing to the public for any further information that may aid in the investigation. With the suspect now in custody, the victims and the community await the outcome of what appears to be a complex web of deceit spanning over a year.
In simple words, a woman in Limassol pretended to be a real estate agent and tricked people into giving her money for land sales and apartment rentals that didn’t actually exist. She defrauded individuals of over 430,000 euros, including an elderly man who lost 416,500 euros. The police arrested the woman, and they are investigating to find out if there are more victims. It’s important for people to be careful and report any suspicious activities when dealing with real estate transactions.
