30 million TL scam carried out with 'social media investment' promise

According to the information obtained, the Karabük Provincial Police Department's Cybercrime Combat Branch and Intelligence Branch teams launched an investigation following a report from a citizen who claimed to have been defrauded of 360,000 TL. The victim stated that they were contacted via social media by individuals promising that they could "earn money by investing," and were subsequently engaged through social networks such as WhatsApp and Telegram after clicking on an advertisement.

TRANSFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE AFTER INTERROGATION

As a result of a 9-month planned and technical investigation conducted jointly by the Cybercrime Combat and Intelligence branches, it was determined that the suspects placed advertisements on social media promising investment returns, then contacted citizens via applications like WhatsApp and Telegram to defraud them. It was further determined that they attempted to launder the illicit proceeds obtained through this method by purchasing crypto assets on crypto exchanges.

Following the 9-month planned and technical investigation, the Karabük Police Department teams conducted simultaneous operations in Ankara and Adana, with Karabük as the hub, to apprehend the 10 identified suspects. Within the scope of the operation, 5 people were detained in Adana and 2 in Ankara, while it was determined that one person was abroad and two were already in prison.

It was determined that the suspects defrauded a total of 34 people in 18 provinces, including Karabük, using this method, obtaining approximately 30 million TL in illicit gains. One individual brought to the Karabük Police Department was released after questioning, while 6 others were referred to the courthouse following their interrogations.

The 6 suspects, whose statements were taken by the prosecutor's office, were subsequently arrested by the court to which they were referred with a request for detention on charges of "fraud by using information systems, banks, or credit institutions as tools (TCK 158/1-f)" and were sent to the Karabük T-Type Closed Prison.

News Source: İHA