Luxury restaurants, bodyguards, vehicles with flashing lights… He introduced himself as presidential staff: Here is the 'Grand Bazaar heist'

A fraud story worthy of a movie took place in the heart of Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar. Ömer Binici, who introduced himself to tradespeople as a manager of a special unit affiliated with the Presidency and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), established a major fraud chain using his fake identity.

At the center of the fraud were jeweler Berk Ö. and Garabet S., who introduced him to Binici. Garabet S. introduced Binici to Berk Ö. by saying, "Someone powerful from within the state will help you."

HE DECEIVED PEOPLE WITH BODYGUARDS, LUXURY RESTAURANTS, AND VEHICLES WITH FLASHING LIGHTS

To gain trust, Ömer Binici used methods resembling those of a real public official. He introduced himself to tradespeople through meetings held in luxury restaurants, arriving in vehicles with flashing lights accompanied by people he presented as "bodyguards."

Binici, who first took 100 thousand dollars and then 300 thousand dollars from Berk Ö., for a total of 400 thousand dollars, expanded the fraud step by step. A portion of the payments was transferred to Garabet S. as a "commission." It was learned that these details were also captured in camera recordings.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE 100 MILLION LIRA HEIST

According to the report by Atakan Irmak from Sabah Newspaper, the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch (KOM) pressed the button for the operation on April 30.

Binici was detained while entering a luxury restaurant in a vehicle with flashing lights while he was continuing his fraudulent activities. Documents belonging to the victims, payment information, and digital evidence were found on Binici, who was caught along with the people accompanying him.

THEY WERE ARRESTED, THEIR ASSETS WERE SEIZED

Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Binici was referred to the courthouse to be arrested. Along with him, Garabet S., who included the victims in the fraud network, and two other people were also detained.