Woman arrested for allegedly defrauding 3 people of over $8,000 with the promise of getting their relatives to north Cyprus

A woman who is alleged that to have defrauded 3 people of $8,000 in Lefkosa, north Cyprus with the promise of a permit has been arrested and remanded in custody.

The suspect, AA, a Turkmenistan national was arrested for defrauding 3 people and obtaining $8,200 from them.

She was brought to court on Thursday December 26 on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Presenting the case in court, the police said that despite working in the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) as a laborer in 2024, the suspect took $5,200 in cash from one V.Y., 26, a resident of Lefkosia, claiming she would handle the preliminary permit procedures to bring four of V.Y.'s relatives living in Turkmenistan to the TRNC as workers.

The police also explained that the suspect took $2,000 in cash from another individual named only as M.B., 30, another resident of Lefkosia, under the same pretense of arranging preliminary permit procedures to bring four of his relatives from Turkmenistan to the TRNC.

Additionally, the officer stated that the suspect took $1,000 in cash from a third individual named as N.R.(female) 35, also a resident of Lefkosia, claiming she would bring one of her relatives living in Turkmenistan to the TRNC as a worker by handling the necessary permit procedures.

The officer said that complaints were filed on December 24, 2024, accusing the suspect of taking a total of $8,200 from these three individuals without carrying out any actions. The suspect was arrested on December 25 and brought to court, where she was detained for one day.

The officer further noted that on December 26, an order was obtained from the Lefkosia District Court to examine the suspect's mobile phone. During the initial examination of the phone, photos of passports, ID cards, and headshots belonging to various individuals were discovered.

As the investigation progressed, it was learned that another individual, not among the complainants, had also given $3,000 in cash to the suspect to arrange for three of their relatives in Turkmenistan to come to the TRNC. However, the officer stated that this individual could not yet be reached to provide a statement.

The officer remarked, “It is highly likely that the number of complainants will increase. Statements will be taken, and the voluntary statement given by the suspect will be confirmed or refuted. In addition, the suspect's verbal claims are still being investigated.”

The officer requested additional time to continue the investigation. After evaluating the testimony presented, the judge ordered that the suspect remain in custody for an additional 7 days.