17 million lira fraud investigation: Simultaneous operation was carried out in 15 provinces, 26 people were arrested
Quick Look
- The cybercrime investigation, carried out under the coordination of the Karabük Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was expanded following the operation in 2025 in which 14 people were arrested.
- The suspicious organization opened bank and crypto exchange accounts and established shell companies, causing a loss of 17 million 197 thousand liras and making money transactions of approximately 870 million liras.
- On October 6, 42 suspects were captured in a simultaneous operation in 15 provinces; 26 of them were arrested, 14 of them were released under judicial control, and 2 of them were released after giving testimony.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The investigation was expanded after the operation in 2025, in which 14 people were arrested, and the activities of the suspicious organization were examined.
The investigation, which was carried out under the coordination of the Karabük Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and with the participation of the Provincial Police Department's Anti-Cyber Crimes Branch Directorate and relevant units, was expanded following the operation held in 2025 in which 14 people were arrested.
During the studies on the people in contact with the suspects, it was determined that bank and cryptocurrency exchange accounts were opened in exchange for money, front companies were established for the purpose of laundering the money obtained from crime, and thus they participated in the crime of qualified fraud.
Technical and physical surveillance was carried out for 8 months in order to reveal the criminal organization that was considered to be organized, to determine its leadership and management staff, and to reveal criminal acts and money traffic. As a result of the studies, it was determined that the suspects caused a total loss of 17 million 197 thousand lira to the citizens in 8 separate incidents that occurred in 8 provinces. It was determined that the shell companies established within the scope of the investigation had a money transaction volume of approximately 870 million liras.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONS IN 15 PROVINCES
A simultaneous operation was organized on October 6 in Izmir, Istanbul, Sakarya, Eskişehir, Bursa, Balıkesir, Adana, Ankara, Aydın, Diyarbakır, Kırklareli, Manisa, Şanlıurfa, Zonguldak and Mersin to capture the suspects. 42 suspects caught during the operations were sent to the courthouse after their procedures at the police station.
While 2 of the suspects were released after their statements at the Public Prosecutor's Office, 14 of them were released on condition of judicial control. The other 26 suspects were arrested by the judgeship.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that 3 suspects were abroad, and it was reported that efforts to capture the 4 fugitive suspects were continuing.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
4 fugitive suspects will be caught
Likely · Within weeks
Removals will be made regarding 3 suspects abroad
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Who are the 3 suspects abroad and where are they?
- How long will it take until the 4 fugitive suspects are caught?
- Who are the real owners of shell companies?
