1,328-year prison sentence requested for leader of 'sazan sarmalı' fraud ring

The trial of a criminal organization that defrauded 66 citizens with the promise of selling vehicles seized by official institutions and organizations at low prices continued.

The prosecutor's opinion was announced regarding the case in which social media influencers Bahar and Nihal Candan were also detained today on allegations of participating in meetings with victims.

Some of the defendants and complainants were present at the 15th hearing held at the Küçükçekmece 4th High Criminal Court.

SHELL COMPANY DETAIL

Presenting the prosecutor's opinion on the merits during the hearing, the public prosecutor stated that the individuals, who acted within a specific organization to commit fraud and gain profit across Istanbul, operated through shell companies.

The opinion noted that the individuals first reached out to the complainants through acquaintances to gain their trust, and then convinced them by claiming they were selling vehicles acquired through tenders at below-market prices, using a person they introduced as 'Veysel, the unit manager' from official institutions such as the Tax Office.

THEY DISAPPEARED WITH VEHICLE AND COMMISSION PAYMENTS

The opinion also stated that vehicle and price lists were sent to complainants via WhatsApp to make offers, and that agreements were reached with complainants who wanted to buy vehicles from the list. It was noted that, according to the agreement, the individuals ensured that 10 percent of the vehicle price was sent in advance to the account of the shell company, which was presented as an intermediary firm.

It was noted that an investigation was launched to uncover the organization's structure and activities following allegations that the individuals did not deliver the promised vehicles after collecting vehicle fees and commission payments in advance, instead offering various excuses and disappearing with the money.

"VICTIMS ARE INTIMIDATED THROUGH THREATS"

While the statements of all victimized citizens were included in the prosecutor's opinion, it was noted that the organization's leader, Eren Koç, introduced himself as a Tax Office, Customs Administration, or Revenue Administration manager, chief, or as an executive named Veysel or Aydın. The public prosecutor explained the organization's fraud method as follows: "It is explained that vehicles seized by the state as part of investigations into criminal and terrorist organizations are being sold off at affordable prices by a unit headed by Veysel. A list of vehicles is sent to the victim via the WhatsApp application. 

The victim is told that a vehicle chosen from the list, which is priced on average 25 percent below market value, can be obtained by using personal connections with the individual codenamed Veysel/Aydın, and that for this, the vehicle price and a service fee for this brokerage must first be deposited into the company account, after which they will be able to take delivery of the vehicle."

The opinion also stated that victims then begin to wait, noting: "When the vehicle is not delivered at the end of the specified period and they cannot reach the members of the criminal organization, the victim realizes they have been defrauded. After the project is terminated, if necessary, they attempt to seek their rights by contacting the network members."

News Source : İHA