Suspected ringleader in sham marriage network arrested in German and extradited to Cyprus

Six months after the exposure of a major international sham marriage scheme in Cyprus, a 39-year-old Pakistani man, believed to be the ringleader, was arrested in Germany and extradited to Cyprus in the early hours of Friday.

The suspect, who had been residing in Cyprus as a registered student, is alleged to have led a network that organised 133 fake marriages, 107 of which took place at the Aradippou town hall, 25 in Nicosia, and one in Livadia.

The man’s apprehension, under a European arrest warrant, saw the involvement of police forces in Cyprus, Portugal and Latvia, coordinated by Europol.

The investigation, which spanned several months, culminated in a coordinated European operation in Limassol called Operational Task Force (OTF), which took place on January 29, 2024, and was led by Cyprus.

Cypriot authorities received initial information from Portugal in November 2020, revealing that men and women from Portugal and Latvia were traveling to Cyprus to enter sham marriages with foreign nationals from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The marriages aimed to secure residency permits in Cyprus, allowing the individuals to move freely to other European countries.

The criminal network, operating since at least 2017, is estimated to have generated over €1 million from the 133 sham marriages alone. To date, 17 foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the scheme, with 14 of those arrests taking place in Cyprus. Nineteen other suspects remain wanted.

The network reportedly operated as a pyramid scheme, with third-country nationals paying up to €10,000 for each marriage, according to witness statements from brides involved.

The case has led to two separate trials before the Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court, with a third trial expected to be filed against the 39-year-old Pakistani suspect.

In one case, involving 15 defendants, the trial is scheduled to begin on November 15. Among the accused are two Indian men, aged 25 and 37, and a 44-year-old Portuguese woman, wife of the alleged ringleader, who is accused of recruiting brides to travel to Cyprus.

The three people face serious charges due to their suspected roles in the network. The remaining 12 defendants, including 11 grooms and one bride, are accused of entering sham marriages to secure residency permits.

Only one Latvian woman has pleaded guilty. She is accused of recruiting brides in Latvia who then married in Cyprus. Her sentencing hearing is set for November 12, with a new date to be scheduled for sentencing.

Cypriot companies have also been investigated for issuing fake insurance documents related to the case, and one Cypriot national is among the suspects still wanted. The case is considered the largest of its kind ever uncovered in Cyprus.