Nicosia, Cyprus. The health insurance organisation (HIO) and the police issued a joint warning on Wednesday about fake SMS messages impersonating the general health system (Gesy). Authorities said the messages aim to trick the public into revealing bank details and transferring money.
New wave of online fraud
Police said the scam messages often mimic legitimate Gesy notifications, making them harder to identify and increasing the risk of deception.
Investigation into reported theft
In a recent case, investigators are looking into the theft of funds after a victim followed instructions from such a message.
Public advised to avoid links and sharing information
Authorities urged the public to be cautious and avoid clicking links or providing personal or banking information in SMS messages claiming to be from Gesy. They emphasised that official Gesy communications will never ask for passwords, payment details, or banking information via text.
Verification and reporting
Beneficiaries were advised to verify any suspicious messages through official channels and report suspected fraud immediately to the police or their bank.
Have you received an SMS message claiming to be from Gesy that asked for passwords or banking details?