Gunman Targets Limassol Office Building Housing Multiple CFD Brokers

An office building in Limassol housing multiple CFD brokerages was the target of a shooting incident, likely in the early hours of Wednesday. The specific target may not have been a brokerage firm, despite several operating from the location.

Employees contacted police after noticing bullet damage to the building's facade, with the marks clearly visible from outside. The commercial property, known as the Santa Barbara Business Centre, hosts several well-known CFD brokerage brands, one of which has its branding displayed on the building.

This incident follows a pattern of similar attacks targeting offices in Cyprus. Last year, a masked gunman fired shots at an investment company's offices in the Ayios Andreas area. A separate attack a year earlier targeted a Limassol marketing agency.

Cyprus serves as a key European base for many CFD brokers, who use the island's MiFID licensing regime to passport services across the EU. The region has recently faced scrutiny over alleged financial crime. Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos previously alleged the island is part of an international money laundering network involving Latin American drug cartels, with some forex firms allegedly used to launder funds.

Recent local reports indicate Cypriot authorities detained three individuals, including a police officer, as part of an investigation into a criminal organization linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and extortion targeting businesses such as forex firms.