Cypriot students detained in Thessaloniki over counterfeit €50 notes

Five first-grade high school students from Nicosia found themselves at the center of a scandal during a school trip to Thessaloniki. They were suspected of using counterfeit €50 banknotes in local shops.

According to media reports, the teenagers were detained by Greek police under fast-track procedures. After the paperwork was processed, they were left at the hotel under the supervision of their teachers.

The students themselves admitted that they received the counterfeit money before the trip from an older student.

The five teenagers have already returned to Cyprus accompanied by a teacher, while the remaining participants of the excursion continue their program and will return later.

The case is now being examined by the Ministry of Education and the Cyprus Police, who are checking whether a counterfeit distribution network is behind the incident.