An office building in Limassol that houses several contracts for difference (CFD) brokers was targeted in a shooting incident likely occurring in the early hours of Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The commercial property, Santa Barbara Business Centre in Zakaki, hosts multiple well-known CFD brokerage brands, with the branding of at least one brokerage visible on the building.
According to local reports, employees of the affected office alerted authorities after discovering bullet damage on the building's facade. The bullet marks were clearly visible from outside, prompting an immediate police response and an investigation into the circumstances of the attack. Finance Magnates understands that the intended target may not have been a brokerage, despite such firms operating from the site.
"The Police were notified at 8 in the morning that shots were possibly fired at a company's offices in Zakaki," the Head of the Limassol TAE, Costas Michael, told the local press. "It was found that the offices of a specific company have indeed been shot at, it appears that glass panels on the balcony were hit." Initial findings indicate that the attack focused on the balcony area, where the glass panels sustained visible damage.
The police further confirmed that the shots were fired at approximately 4:20 a.m. and that, at first glance, there appeared to be two perpetrators riding a motorcycle. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident, and authorities have not yet publicly identified the suspects or the specific company whose offices were hit.
Previous Incidents and Regulatory Context
Similar shooting incidents have previously been reported in Cyprus. In an incident last year, a masked gunman fired seven shots at the offices of an investment company in the Ayios Andreas area. These events have drawn attention to security risks faced by financial and investment firms operating on the island.
Cyprus serves as a base for many CFD brokers, having established itself as a gateway to mainland Europe for such companies. Brokers typically obtain a MiFID licence from the local regulator and then passport this authorisation to operate across the European Union. The concentration of financial firms has coincided with heightened law enforcement scrutiny.
Recently, local reports indicated that Cypriot authorities detained three individuals, including a police officer, as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal organisation linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and extortion. The group is suspected of targeting businesses such as forex firms. The latest shooting in Limassol adds to a pattern of serious incidents involving financial-sector offices in Cyprus, prompting continued investigative and regulatory attention.
