A 32-year-old Ukrainian woman was sentenced to 20 months in prison by the Larnaca criminal court for making false declarations to customs authorities after bringing nearly €8 million in cash into Cyprus over 20 trips between August 2023 and March 2024. While acquitted of money laundering charges due to insufficient evidence tying the funds to criminal activity, the court found she had given contradictory explanations about the origin of the money, initially claiming it was from a loan and later from personal savings.

The investigation started after the woman reported a robbery of €420,000 in Limassol, which prompted authorities to examine large cash movements at Larnaca airport. A 43-year-old Ukrainian man connected to the case was also acquitted of money laundering charges after being arrested for allegedly receiving cash handed over by the woman.

Mitigating factors in the sentencing included the woman's declarations to customs upon entry and her status as a mother of two minor children. The court’s ruling highlights the importance of accuracy in customs declarations even when the legality of funds is not definitively established.