Student goes on shopping spree with bank card he found on the floor: spends over 2,500 TL

A Sudanese national was arrested by Turkish Cypriot police for shopping with a lost credit card belonging to an academic at a university campus in north Cyprus.

The suspect identified only as TM, a Sudanese student in north Cyprus was arrested and brought t to court on Tuesday December 30.

During the hearing, the police told the court that on 26 December 2025, a complaint was lodged at the Demirhan Police Station by one G.S.Ç., who reported that the credit card registered in his name was last used on 23 December 2025 at the cafeteria of Cyprus International University. The complainant later discovered that on 25 December 2025, the card’s contactless feature had been used to make purchases totaling 2,644.99 TL, prompting him to file a complaint.

Police stated that following an investigation launched upon the complaint, it was determined that the credit card had been stolen and unlawfully used by the suspect, a Sudanese national studying in the country. Acting on a detention order, police located and arrested the suspect in Gönyeli on 27 December 2025.

The court was informed that the suspect had previously been remanded in custody for three days, during which the necessary investigative procedures were completed.

The police further noted that the suspect is residing in the country under student status and requested that he be released under appropriate bail conditions.

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ruled that no guarantor would be required. However, the court ordered the suspect to deposit a cash bond of 250,000 TL and banned him from leaving the country pending further proceedings.