A 50-year-old man is being held in police custody after allegedly deceiving people by posing as an actor or film producer.

According to a police spokesman, the 50-year-old, who allegedly managed to extort money promising his victims that he would help them showcase their acting talents, was arrested on Saturday in Paphos.

He also allegedly managed to extract small sums of money from people in various districts, saying he was facing financial difficulties and needed the money for his sick child.

In Paphos, three cases have been reported while many other unreported cases are suspected. The 50-year-old, against whom a two-day detention order was secured, is also accused of stealing a vehicle in Nicosia.

The case is under ongoing investigation.