Two Turkmenistan nationals remanded in north Cyprus for alleged $10,800 immigration fraud scheme

Lefkoşa, Cyprus (August 1, 2025) — Two Turkmenistan nationals, have been remanded in custody for three days after being charged with obtaining money through fraudulent means in Lefkoşa. 

The pair identified as AJ, 27 and AJ, 30 allegedly defrauded a local resident by promising to arrange work permits for eight individuals from Turkmenistan, collecting a total of $10,800 without fulfilling their promise.

The police stated that between February and April 2025, the suspects were working in İskele and convinced a person identified as N.S. that they could legally bring eight of his relatives from Turkmenistan to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as workers.

Relying on this promise, N.S. handed over $10,800 to the suspects. However, the suspects allegedly took the money without initiating any of the required legal processes and failed to deliver on their commitments, prompting police to investigate them for fraud through deception.

A formal complaint was lodged on July 19, 2025, after which arrest warrants were issued for both men. Police arrested the suspects in İskele on July 31.

During questioning, both suspects reportedly admitted to taking the money for the purpose of processing work permits but confessed to spending it on personal debts and being unable to repay it.

Police told the court that the investigation is ongoing, with several witness statements still to be collected. Authorities are also probing how the suspects spent the defrauded money and are working with the immigration department to clarify the legal basis of their presence in the TRNC.

The judge, ordered that the suspects remain in custody for an additional three days while the investigation proceeds.