Turkmenistan woman accused of defrauding relatives with fake work permits in northern Cyprus

Lefkoşa, North Cyprus – July 9, 2025 — A woman from Turkmenistan, identified as LK, has been formally charged with fraud, forgery, and residing illegally in the country. 

Authorities allege that LK deceived her relatives by promising to obtain preliminary work permits for them, using falsified documents to illicitly acquire $30,000.

LK was brought before the Lefkoşa District Court on charges of document forgery, circulation of forged documents, and obtaining money by deception. The police revealed that she had remained in the country unlawfully for nearly a year.

Police officer who presented the case in court, stated that between May 2 and July 2, 2025, LK allegedly produced six forged preliminary work permit applications. Despite knowing the documents were fake, she reportedly shared them via WhatsApp with a relative identified by the initials M.H.Y., falsely claiming she could obtain permits.

Based on this deception, LK is said to have fraudulently obtained $30,000 from M.H.Y.

The complaint was filed on July 8, 2025, prompting an immediate investigation and LK’s arrest. Authorities confirmed that the preliminary permit documents were forged following a verification process with the Department of Labour.

Immigration checks further revealed that LK had been residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) without legal status for 346 days, since June 17, 2024.

Her mobile phone, believed to contain crucial evidence, has been seized and will undergo forensic examination by the Police General Directorate’s Data Analysis Unit. Police also indicated that they are in the process of collecting witness statements and reviewing CCTV footage as part of the ongoing investigation.

In light of the circumstances, police requested that LK be held in custody to prevent interference with the investigation.

The judge ordered that the suspect be remanded in custody for two days to facilitate further inquiries.