1 billion dollar crypto scam extends across borders: They also defrauded other countries

New details have emerged regarding the organized crime group that swindled a total of 1 billion dollars from 40 thousand people in 4 years using a system called Smart Trade Coin. It was learned that after the group ended its Ponzi scheme activities in 2021, the core staff, including group leader Çiğdem Karaca and former FIFA-licensed referee Bülent Demirlek, reached approximately 6 thousand members with a new project called 'Sterakk'. The luxury villas purchased by group leader Çiğdem Karaca in Kuşadası have also been revealed.

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1 billion dollar crypto scam extends across borders: They also defrauded other countries

New details continue to emerge regarding the investigation into the Ankara-based 'Sibergöz-42' operations, where 127 people, including Aşkım Kapışmak, were detained for allegedly committing fraud through a fake crypto asset trading platform called 'Smart Trade Coin'.

47 PEOPLE ARRESTED

While it was determined that the network, which established an international Ponzi scheme with promises of high returns, carried out a 1 billion dollar scam using this method, 47 suspects, including group leader Çiğdem Karaca and former FIFA-licensed referee Bülent Demirlek, were arrested and sent to prison.

NEW DETAILS ON THE PONZI SCHEME

According to a report by Ömer Çetin from Sabah, the Ankara Cyber Crimes Branch teams, along with the Ministry of Trade, MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board), and the Revenue Administration, placed the organized crime group that carried out the scam via 'Smart Trade Coin' under scrutiny.

THEY ENDED THEIR ACTIVITIES IN 2021

It was revealed that the organized crime group actively used the Smart Trade Coin system under the name Oceans Enterprise between 2017 and 2021. It was determined that they introduced a package system for those who would join the Oceans Enterprise system and promised a 30 percent monthly return.

The group, which also defrauded Turks living in Europe, shut down the Ponzi scheme, which had reached 40 thousand people, in 2021 and ended its activities.

MONEY TRANSFERRED VIA CRYPTO EXCHANGE

The organized crime group transferred the money obtained from the system abroad via a crypto exchange.

Not content with this, the group sold the system it had shut down to another foreign country, began operations there, and it was learned that the number of members reached around 30 thousand.

HOW THE FORMER REFEREE TRIED TO CONVINCE PEOPLE

It was determined that former FIFA-licensed referee Bülent Demirlek, who acted in concert with organized crime group leader Çiğdem Karaca, moved to a new formation after closing Oceans Enterprise.

It was learned that the group kept its staff and entered the crypto exchange with a project called "Sterakk", and the number of members reached 6 thousand.

It was stated that former referee Bülent Demirlek was particularly featured as a speaker in promotional programs and tried to convince people with phrases such as "There is no possibility of losing money."

THE GROUP LEADER'S LUXURY VILLA...

MASAK, affiliated with the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, reported on the income obtained by the organized crime group from crime. 177 immovable properties and 61 movable assets worth 1 billion Turkish Liras were seized.

In addition to real estate abroad, it was determined that there were hotels registered in the names of others.

While the luxury life of organized crime group leader Çiğdem Karaca was brought to light, it was revealed that she bought villas in the Kuşadası district of İzmir.