Six-year prison sentence for woman convicted of fraud against Famagusta refugees
The Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol has sentenced a 45-year-old woman to six years imprisonment for fraud against displaced property owners, while a 53-year-old co-defendant received a 12-month prison sentence.
Six-year prison sentence for woman convicted of fraud against Famagusta refugees
The Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol imposed a six-year prison sentence on a 45-year-old woman for fraud against displaced property owners. Her co-defendant, aged 53, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment without suspension.
The court found that the two women obtained over €320,000 from victims through false promises concerning compensation claims and the sale of properties in the occupied areas, primarily in the Famagusta district.
The 45-year-old admitted guilt on 16 counts, including 12 for obtaining money through false representations and 4 related to money laundering. The offences were committed between 2023 and 2025. The court imposed a three-year sentence for the proceeds of crime charges and a six-year sentence for money laundering, with sentences to run concurrently from the date of detention.
According to the court, the 45-year-old acted in a "systematic and methodical" manner, convincing victims that she was working in their interests by presenting "false and fabricated scenarios" to gain their trust. The defendant claimed to be a lawyer with connections in the occupied areas and persuaded complainants to pay money for alleged property valuations, procedural costs and compensation applications. The victims believed they would obtain compensation through a "compensation committee" or complete sales of properties in the occupied areas.
More than 20 complainants, many of whom were related to each other, paid sums either in cash or through the Revolut platform for purported legal and administrative expenses. The court referenced the "exploitation of trust" and the "strong element of deception" that was demonstrated.
The 53-year-old was accused of presenting herself as a person with connections to a Greek Cypriot investor interested in purchasing properties in the occupied areas. The court heard that she personally obtained almost €4,000. In imposing her sentence, the court took into account her admission of guilt, remorse and regret, as well as the fact that she had already returned €1,500 and stated her intention to return the remaining €2,500 after her release.
Source: Cyprus Mail
Source: Cyprus Mail