A 57-year-old Nicosia businessman was ambushed beaten and robbed just outside his apartment building by three masked men on Wednesday night.

According to Nicosia police, the man was attacked at around 11.15 pm and despite putting up a struggle, the three men made off with a small handbag containing €670 and a laptop computer.

The 57-year-old who received treatment for injuries received during the struggle with his attackers described the two as heavy-set, and 1.7m tall while the third was short and thin, all three had their faces covered with ski masks.

Police believe that the three men had been keeping the man under surveillance before their attack.

Nicosia CID is continuing its investigation.