Police investigate major online fraud involving fake GHS text messages

The Cyprus Police and the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) are investigating a sophisticated phishing scam targeting beneficiaries of the General Health System (GHS). On April 28, 2026, a 60-year-old man in Paphos reported that he received an SMS appearing to originate from the GHS, requesting an update to his profile. The message directed him to a fraudulent website where he was asked to input personal details and banking information for a supposed fee. After entering his credentials, perpetrators illicitly accessed his account and stole 48,000 euros. The Paphos Criminal Investigation Department’s Financial Crime Unit is currently investigating the case. Officials stress that the HIO will never request passwords, payment details, or personal data via SMS. They further advise the public to avoid clicking suspicious links and to verify any official communication through trusted channels.