Residents of Cyprus warned about a new dangerous phone scam in PayPal’s name

Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts in the Republic of Cyprus have recorded a sharp wave of sophisticated phone fraud aimed at stealing the personal data and financial assets of local residents. The perpetrators use spoofed phone numbers and automated calling systems, posing as employees of the support service of the international payment platform PayPal. Concerned citizens are told about a supposedly suspicious transaction, an unauthorized debit of large sums from their accounts, or the need to urgently update personal data to prevent an account from being blocked. During the conversation, the criminals use psychological pressure techniques, forcing the victim to act in haste and panic.

The main goal of the cybercriminals is to make the user reveal confidential information, including one-time confirmation passwords from text messages, bank card details, or login credentials and passwords for accessing a personal account. In some recorded cases, the scammers go even further, persuading citizens to install specialized remote access programs on their mobile phones or computers under the guise of protective utilities from the company. Once the victim grants such access, the perpetrators gain full control over the device and can freely withdraw funds through official banking applications. The Cyprus police strongly urge the public to remain extremely vigilant, not to engage in phone conversations with suspicious individuals, and to immediately end such calls, since official representatives of financial institutions never ask for passwords by phone.

Citizens are advised to check the status of their accounts only through official mobile apps or by visiting the payment system’s website directly through a browser, rather than through links in messages. All suspicious incidents, attempted fraud, or already completed unauthorized debits must be reported immediately to the cybercrime unit for the prompt blocking of accounts and the launch of an investigation.