Fake Mahdi arrested: Forced followers to sell real estate and take out loans

In the village of Külcüler in the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale, Mustafa Çabuk, who declared himself a 'Mahdi', was taken into custody on charges of gaining financial profit by forcing his followers to sell their real estate and take out loans. 

Çabuk and 10 of his followers were arrested by the court and sent to prison. It was determined that the criminal organization led a cult community of approximately 200 people and committed fraud by exploiting religious beliefs.

HİLAFETİ MUHAMMEDİYE CULT

Mustafa Çabuk had moved the criminal organization he founded in Istanbul in 2020 to the Koç Thermal and Hilal Houses in the rural area of the Bayramiç district. 

Cult members posed as earthquake victims, rented these places for 2 years, and continued their activities there. The Hilafeti Muhammediye Cult, led by Çabuk, had acted with the intention of defrauding its followers by exploiting people's religious sentiments.

LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH AND PHONES SEIZED

In a joint operation carried out by the Çanakkale Provincial Police Department and the Çanakkale Gendarmerie Command, Mustafa Çabuk and 15 people were taken into custody.

 During the searches, a handgun, 10 cartridges, 275 thousand TL in cash, 10 phones, 3 computer towers, and 3 laptops were seized. The operation was carried out on October 8 under the coordination of the Çanakkale Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

ARREST DECISION ISSUED

The 16 suspects taken into custody were referred to the courthouse on charges of 'establishing a criminal organization for profit' and 'qualified fraud'. The fake Mahdi Mustafa Çabuk and 10 of his followers were arrested by the court and sent to prison.

News Source: İHA