An elderly woman in Larnaca fell victim to a phone scam on Wednesday, losing gold jewellery and personal items to unknown perpetrators who impersonated government and utility officials.
The woman received a phone call around 12:30 yesterday from an unknown female caller claiming the government would provide free domestic assistants for elderly persons, police said. The caller requested personal information to complete an application form.
The caller subsequently transferred the woman to a male accomplice who identified himself as an Electricity Authority of Cyprus representative, claiming her house had a leak and risked catching fire.
The imposter instructed the woman to remove money and gold items from her residence. Whilst maintaining telephone contact, the victim placed jewellery and gold items in a basket on her balcony before being directed to re-enter the house and switch off the main electrical circuit.
Upon returning to the balcony, the woman discovered the basket containing her valuables had been stolen.
Witness statements obtained during the investigation indicate an unknown male was seen leaving the area on foot in an undetermined direction, according to police.
Kofinou Police Station continues examining the case.
