Man who fraudulently obtained money with the promise of an Algerian visa two years ago arrested on return to north Cyprus

A man who swindled an individual of 11,000 Turkish Lira with the promise of obtaining an Algerian visa, was caught while trying to enter north Cyprus, almost two years after the incident.

The suspect, SL was arrested at Ercan Airport on arrival in April, 2025. He was taken to court subsequently charged with obtaining money through fraud, an incident that happened in Minareliköy, north Cyprus in June 2023.

Police in court testimony against the suspect said on June 15, 2023, in the Minareliköy area, the suspect told one M.Ö. that he could arrange a visa for Algeria and fraudulently obtained 11,000 TL in cash.

The police explained that the suspect did not provide the Algerian visa as promised and left the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on June 16, 2023.

The police stated that an investigation was launched following the complaint, but no action could be taken at the time because the suspect had already left the country.

The police noted that an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect on August 8, 2023, and he was apprehended at Ercan Airport on April 14, 2025, while attempting to re-enter the TRNC.

The police also mentioned that the suspect denied the charges against him and that the investigation has been completed. 

The police noted that the suspect has a prior conviction from 2002 for circulating counterfeit money and requested he be released on bail.

The suspect, speaking in court, claimed innocence, saying, “I was going to buy a car; I asked for a loan, and he gave it to me.”

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ruled that the suspect be released on bail pending trial, under the conditions that he be banned from leaving the country, a TRNC citizen sign a bail bond worth 250,000 TL, and that he report to the police once a week.