Police have launched a two-pronged investigation into a leaked video that surfaced last Thursday showing fake investors meeting with Cypriot presidential officials over a bogus €150 million investment scheme.
The investigation, ordered by the Law Office, focuses on tracking down those behind the leak whilst examining whether criminal offences were committed based on what is heard in the footage, according to police sources.
Two separate police units under the Crime Fighting Department are handling the probe. The Cyber Crime Unit is examining the video’s origin, whilst investigators at headquarters are looking into the substance of the conversations. The Cyprus Intelligence Service is conducting its own parallel investigation.
Authorities have requested international legal assistance from the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom and France. The countries were approached because they have either faced similar “hybrid threats” or have expertise in uncovering those behind manipulated videos using fake accounts.
Former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis has given a statement to police in two stages after voluntarily approaching authorities following the video’s release.
He provided details about meetings with a specific individual in countries outside Cyprus, contracts signed between them, invoices issued, and online meetings that continued until late November 2025, according to information obtained by Phileleftheros.
The supposed investment company appeared as “Stratix Wealth”, and conversations were held with someone called Florin Gheorghiou of Romanian origin, though this appears to be a false name. Documents handed over by Lakkotrypis will be forensically examined to trace their origin.
Police are expected to take statements within the coming days from Charalambos Charalambous, director of the President’s office, and Giorgos Chrysochou, director of the Cyfield Group.
Both appear in the video speaking with the supposed foreign investors, explaining procedures and implementation methods for the investment.
Authorities are also expected to search for the person Lakkotrypis and others in the video were communicating with, to question them about setting up the fake investment scheme.
Further footage could emerge, given that the final Zoom conference lasted 45 minutes whilst only eight minutes have been released. Whether those behind the operation will release more material or disappear remains unclear.