Police have dismantled a well-organised human trafficking and prostitution ring with connections to the occupied areas and Nigeria, Phileleftheros reported on Friday.
Two women have been arrested in a covert operation. Investigators describe the case as “very serious” and haven’t ruled out further arrests.
The first suspect, whose arrest several days ago was kept under wraps, appeared before Limassol District Court on Friday afternoon. Police requested an eight-day extension to her detention order.
Sources report the suspect has allegedly confessed to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit felony and misdemeanour, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of adults, money laundering, maintaining a brothel, pimping, and exploitation of prostitutes. The offences are believed to have occurred between August 2022 and May 2023.
The investigation began in May 2023 when a woman approached Larnaca CID, initially reporting stolen belongings. Further questioning revealed she was a victim of sexual exploitation, having been brought to Cyprus under false pretences.
The victim stated she arrived in Cyprus on 18 August 2022 via the occupied areas, after being promised a better future in 2021 by a friend in Nigeria. She was allegedly told she would need to engage in prostitution for three months to repay a debt of 7 million naira (approximately €14,000) to the suspect who facilitated her travel.
Upon arrival, the victim was reportedly taken to the suspect’s flat in Limassol, where her passport was confiscated. The following day, an online advertisement for her services was posted.
Sources say the victim was held in the suspect’s Limassol flat without freedom of movement, with all her earnings going to the suspect. She reportedly faced threats of violence, rape, and deportation if she stopped working or failed to hand over money.
The victim later moved to Larnaca but was unable to earn enough to pay the suspect. This led to another woman confiscating her belongings and phone on the suspect’s orders.
Police arrested the primary suspect on 9 October in Limassol, recovering the victim’s passport during a search of her residence. The victim has allegedly paid approximately €5,000 to the first suspect and €1,000 to a second suspect, who is believed to have acted as a pimp under a specific pseudonym. This second suspect was arrested today.
In her statement to police, the first suspect admitted that the complainant worked for her in prostitution and that she kept her passport to prevent her from leaving Cyprus.
Authorities believe more arrests may follow as the investigation continues into the network’s operations in Cyprus and its international connections.
The victim has been moved to a shelter as investigations proceed.
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