Police investigate new online scam, $119,000 stolen

A man in Limassol paid $119,000 for an invoice sent to him by email which turned out to be  fraudulent, police said on Thursday.

The man reported to police that he had received an email from a foreign company with which he cooperates. The sender asked the complainant to pay an outstanding invoice to a bank account.

The businessman paid the invoice, amounting to $119,000, through a bank transfer, however, the company contacted the complainant, stating that payment had not been made.

Investigation revealed that the email address from which he received the first email was slightly different from the actual email address of the company with which he cooperates.

Police noted earlier this week, that this type of internet fraud has been reported several times and concerns fraud through invoices and other documents, during which, third parties manage to access emails, and interfere in the communication between two traders.

They then approach the company pretending to be its supplier or service provider and request that the information on future invoice payments is changed and that any new payments be made according to the new data ( which belong to the scammer).

The case is being investigated by the Limassol CID.