An extensive operation was carried out against an international organization accused of defrauding citizens of foreign countries through forex and cryptocurrency investments as part of four separate investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the organization was uncovered following analyses by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), findings by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and law enforcement units, and hundreds of victim applications received through Interpol.
Simultaneous operation at 286 addresses
As part of the investigation, 42 call centers belonging to 28 companies and 239 suspects were identified.
A simultaneous operation began at 5 a.m. at a total of 286 addresses in Istanbul and Muğla.
Authorities said raids on the call centers had been carried out by 10 a.m. in an operation involving Interpol units, and that 175 suspects had been arrested.
Efforts to arrest the other suspects are continuing.
Companies found to have links to Israel
According to Minister Gürlek's statement, analyses by MASAK, work by MİT and law enforcement, and victim applications received through Interpol were examined.
The authorities said the review found that people linked to Israel were predominant in the ownership and ultimate beneficial ownership structures of the companies in question.
Authorities said the investigation uncovered an organized fraud operation targeting people in different countries.
Victims reached through forex and cryptocurrency advertisements
According to the findings of the investigation, the organization reached citizens of foreign countries by publishing advertisements for forex and cryptocurrency investments on social media and the internet.
The investigation found that customer representatives speaking different languages contacted people who had been brought into the system with promises of high returns.
It also found that investment platforms controlled by the suspects displayed fictitious profits and directed victims to deposit more money.
Those seeking to withdraw money were asked to make additional payments
According to the investigation findings, when victims sought to withdraw their money, they were asked to make additional payments on grounds such as “taxes” and “account restrictions.”
The money deposited by the victims was transferred to bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets abroad, the investigation found.
Approximately 13 billion Turkish lira in two years
Authorities said the organization targeted people in many countries, particularly in Europe, the Far East and Africa.
The investigation found that the organization reached a transaction volume of approximately 13 billion Turkish lira over the past two years in transactions believed to consist solely of office expenses and salary payments.
Gürlek: The fight against organized groups will continue
In a statement after the operation, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said efforts to combat organized criminal groups that target people's savings with false investment promises would continue.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Istanbul Regional Directorate of MİT, the Istanbul Provincial Police Department, MASAK and Interpol units took part in the operation.
Searches, seizures and efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are continuing as part of the operation.
