Individual scams lecturer out of £25,300 with promise to rent three houses and land in Gönyeli

A lecturer in north Cyprus has been scammed out of £25,300 by an individual during rental application process in a fraud case that happened in Gönyeli.

The suspect, M.E, who was arrested in connection with the crime was brought to court on Monday on charges of "Obtaining Money by Fraud".

Police who testified in court against the suspect said on 30 November 2024, the complainant, I.G. (M-57, Lecturer), a resident of Gönyeli, reported at the Gönyeli Police Station that he had applied to rent three houses and an adjoining 1.5-acre plot of land belonging to the Foundations Administration in Çatalköy between September and October 2024 and submitted a project. However, he had not received any results. 

The suspect, M.E, allegedly promised to assist him in exchange for £25,300 and fraudulently obtained the money from him.

The police learned about the incident on 30 November 2024 and summoned the suspect to the station.

When asked for an explanation regarding the matter, the suspect gave a statement and handed over £5,300 of the money to the police.

The officer stated that the suspect was arrested on the same day under a detention order, and an investigation was launched. He noted that additional statements needed to be taken, and it was highly likely that the number of suspects in the case could increase. 

Furthermore, there were surveillance camera recordings related to the incident, but the review of these recordings was not required at this stage. He requested that the suspect remain in police custody for one day for the purpose of the investigation.

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ordered that the suspect be detained in police custody for one day to facilitate the investigation.