Scandalous corruption allegation in Turkish food giant: Lawyer called the bank

It was claimed that Ersin Erdoğan, the former general manager of the 103-year-old Şahin Sucuları, transferred 120 million 130 thousand TL from the company accounts to his own account with forged documents and signatures.

While the investigation into the arrested former general manager continues, the company's lawyer, Mehmet Tav, addressed Garanti BBVA management and called for concrete steps to be taken to compensate for the damage.

According to Sözcü's report, it was claimed that Ersin Erdoğan, the former general manager of Şahin Sucuklari, one of Kayseri's well-established brands, transferred hundreds of millions of lira from the company accounts to his own account with forged documents and signatures.

The incident in question was revealed during the investigations carried out by the company's internal audit units.

Between January 1 and August 13, 2026, a total of 120 million 130 thousand TL was withdrawn from a single company account at Garanti Bank in 54 separate transactions. The company management forwarded the obtained information and documents to the judicial authorities.

Former general manager Erdoğan stated that company official Salih Fazlıoğlu signed on his behalf when he was out of town.

However, he denied the accusations, arguing that he carried out these transactions with the knowledge and approval of the company.

A total of 6 people, including 5 company employees and 1 bank personnel, were detained within the scope of the investigation. 5 of the suspects were sent to the courthouse on September 11, 2026.

Among the suspects who were referred to the courthouse on September 12, the former general manager of the company was arrested, while the other 4 suspects were released on the condition of an international travel ban and judicial control. It was also reported that measures were taken against the suspects' assets.

Mehmet Tav, the lawyer of Şahin Sucuları, said, "While two signatures of the company official are required, former general manager Ersin Erdoğan forges the signature on the stamps. He takes out loans and buys gold. 120 million liras were detected in the last 8 months. Before he was taken into custody, he emptied all his bank accounts and sold his car. There are precautions for his house."

Addressing Garanti BBVA management, Lawyer Tav said, "This grave incident we experienced, especially at Garanti BBVA Kayseri OSB Branch, shows how vital signature verification, customer security and auditing are in banking transactions. What further developments do you expect to happen in order to compensate our client's losses in this process where hundreds of millions of liras of fake signature transactions are alleged, the subject of MASAK investigations, the former general manager was arrested and bank personnel testified? What further developments do you expect to happen in order to compensate for the damage of a 103-year-old brand? "What more needs to happen to protect the savings?" he said.