Hidden camera scandal in bungalow bedroom: Police launch investigation

In the incident that occurred one day before the Ramadan Feast, a family that rented a bungalow in the Sapanca district from Istanbul allegedly noticed a hidden camera concealed inside a light bulb that had a full view of the bedroom and jacuzzi area of the structure. The family went to the police department and filed a complaint.

Following the report, teams launched an investigation into the matter, seizing all electronic devices found in the bungalow for examination.

M.K., who rented the bungalow with their family, shared their experience on social media with the following words: "Stay in your own homes and be in reliable places. Please do not fall into the situation I did. I will not let this matter go, but my 7-year-old daughter spent six o'clock in the morning at the Sapanca District Police Department with public order teams. Shame on you; this business, which violates private life in such a way, posted, 'Our place is available, we are waiting for our guests,' the very next day. Beware of hidden cameras, take it from me."

"I DO NOT THINK THEY COULD DO IT OPENLY"

Ali Safa Alaçam, President of the Sapanca Villa and Bungalow Operators Association (SAVİBU), made a statement regarding the allegations following the incident. Alaçam said, "Unfortunately, we are following the issue with sadness. It is an incident that happened one day before the holiday, and a judicial process has been initiated; digital materials related to the business have been seized, and technical analyses are being conducted.

We do not currently know who is guilty or who placed the camera; all possibilities, including sabotage, are being evaluated. I do not think an operator could do this openly, but if it is so, the necessary penalties will be imposed.

Sapanca has become a brand in tourism for years through the sweat and labor of many of our operators. I believe we should not destroy this with a single incident. Therefore, generalized comments would be disrespectful to the efforts of many of our operators. Everyone will do what is necessary as a result of the judicial process," he said.

"THE INCIDENT SHOULD NOT REFLECT ON EVERYONE"

Stating that they will increase inspections as an association, Alaçam said, "There are 5,000 bungalows under roofs in Sapanca, and 3,000 of them are members of our association. We only accept official operators who have documents from the ministry as members of our association. We have an internal inspection system, but after this incident, we have also been uneasy among ourselves. Because we have always offered privacy to our guests. We will increase the necessary inspections more frequently; we have agreed with special teams and will have them visit one by one. An incident that happened in one place should not reflect on everyone, and we do not even know what the incident there is yet," he said.

"IT IS A CONSERVATIVE SOCIETY BY STRUCTURE"

Stating that the outcome will be clear after the judicial trial, Alaçam said, "Our phones never stop ringing; some of my fellow operators say their former guests are calling. Naturally, when this incident comes out, it is small but nauseating. There is immediate anxiety, but our customers should rest assured. Actually, it does not even look like an obvious hidden camera there. I do not want to believe that an operator could do such a thing. I think a person would not do this to their own bread and butter, but of course, who placed it is also very important and a matter of curiosity. Everyone should rest assured; Sapanca will continue to be a reliable tourism destination. As you know, there are hotel chains and groups that do not want us. We are also evaluating these; they have been coming down on us a lot lately. We will see where the issue goes after the judicial trial, but everything is possible. The bungalow where the incident allegedly took place is not a member of our association. Currently, it is not clear who did it, there is no culprit in sight, so we cannot take action, but I can say this with an open heart: Sapanca is already a conservative society by structure; we do not harbor such people among us. I do not want to put anyone under suspicion, and I do not think it is like that, but if there is a situation regarding the business, those people with that mentality will definitely not be able to operate here," he said.

"SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE PLACED IT THERE"

Stating that the situation is being handled in more than one way, Alaçam said, "There have been guests who came to avoid paying, but there had never been anything like this. What bothers me is that it is an obviously visible camera; there are 3 light bulbs there, and one is very obvious and emits a purple light. Everyone would be suspicious when they see this. I hope it will be revealed as soon as possible who did it. After all, someone else could have placed it there; there are many maniacs and psychopaths in the country, we cannot know with what purpose someone approaches. Someone who stayed for a day before might have attached it there and is following it remotely," he said.