The crimes were presumably committed in the period between 7 June and 27 July in Paphos. The charges include conspiracy, gauging money with the help of false representation, and money laundering.
In the course of investigation the policemen will have to take 14 statements, examine the suspect’s banking and communications data, and conduct 2 identity parades. According to the judge the process is expected to be long because of the necessity to take several statements in Mandarin Chinese with the help of an interpreter.
The case was launched by a complaint of a 25-year-old Chinese woman currently residing in Cyprus. When she was looking at the plots in Nata a stranger approached her and suggested meeting his friend who was ready to sale some pieces of land. She agreed and gave her phone number.
They met in Yeroskipou in March. The two men who introduced themselves as realty agents showed the Chinese woman several plots of land and buildings, including a Yeroskipou apartment complex and pieces of land in Anarita and Koilinia. Two months later the two culprits showed her family a house in Chlorakas which interested the woman.
The men said that the property cost €1.2m and promised to do their utmost to reduce the price to €800,000, provided the Chinese woman would not participate in negotiations not to tempt the owner to increase the initial price for a foreigner.
Soon the Chinese investor gave the younger suspect €60,000 requested as a deposit for the owner to insure the deal. The plaintiff states that negotiations aimed at reducing the price continued. In June she was informed about the owner’s accepting the offer and was asked to hand over €140,000 though no contract was presented to her.
As soon as the deceived woman learned that the property owner was unaware of the deal, she informed the police.