Uncovering Deleted Files in Cyprus ‘Golden Passport’ Probe

The prominent Greek-language newspaper Politis has reported a significant development regarding a leading Limassol law firm under criminal investigation. The probe centers on the issuance of ‘golden passports’ to four foreign investors—three Russian and one Venezuelan—and their dependants, including spouses and children.

The law firm, currently unnamed due to ongoing investigations, unsuccessfully sought to annul a search warrant executed on October 8, 2024. This effort aimed to block the authorities from using evidence allegedly retrieved during the investigation. The warrant followed a prior police search conducted on April 5, 2024, which uncovered that essential files and correspondence had been deleted from the firm’s central server.

Supreme Court Upholds Warrant Enabling Use of Recovered Evidence

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling is pivotal, allowing authorities to utilise all the seized data, including files retrieved by forensic experts. Attorney-General George Savvides’s position to uphold the search warrant was confirmed, paving the way for a thorough examination of the evidence by the Legal Service before any criminal charges are filed.

Criminal Offences Under Scrutiny

The investigation includes multiple alleged offences dating back to 2015, notably:

• Conspiracy to Defraud (Article 302, Cap. 154)
• Conspiracy to Commit Felonies (Article 371, Cap. 154)
• Money Laundering Violations (Law 188(I)/2007, Articles 3-5, 27)
• False Statements under Civil Registry Law (Article 116(1), 141(I)/2002)
• Non-compliance with Civil Registry Regulations (Article 88)
• Forgery of Travel Documents (Article 89(1)(e))

Evidence of Attempted Data Deletion and Forensic Recovery

Following the initial search in April, police experts identified that some digital files had been altered or deleted. Consequently, a second search warrant was issued to recover missing materials. The warrant specifically acknowledged the capability of forensic technology to recover deleted files without infringing on unrelated client data, thus safeguarding legal professional privilege.

By employing advanced forensic recovery software, authorities successfully restored crucial deleted files from the law firm’s server. These recovered digital assets have been securely stored for continued investigation by the relevant authorities.

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This investigation highlights the complexities and risks involved in Cyprus’ residency-by-investment schemes, reinforcing the need for buyers and investors to approach such opportunities with due diligence.