Police arrested two men from Bangladesh aged 23 and 34 in Larnaca on Thursday in connection with a sham marriage. The Larnaca district court later issued a six day remand for each of them.

According to police, a 22-year old Bulgarian woman arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday accompanied by her husband to allegedly marry a man from Bangladesh for a fee.

The woman’s name was on the alert list as a potential victim of human trafficking, police said.

The 22-year-old’s husband and the groom-to-be were arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Larnaca, where the wedding was scheduled to take place.

The woman told police that she was married in Bulgaria, but due to financial problems she was convinced by a compatriot to marry the man from Bangladesh for €1,000.

Police also issued a European arrest warrant for another Bulgarian woman, 22, a friend of the would-be bride.

The 23-year-old admitted guilt while the 34-year-old denies any involvement in the case.