Istanbul-based loan shark gang dismantled: They generated 100 million lira in illicit gains

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch conducted simultaneous operations on October 18 in Istanbul, Adana, Adıyaman, and Ankara, targeting an armed criminal organization identified as engaging in organized loan sharking, as part of an investigation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

13 SUSPECTS CAPTURED

It was determined that the 13 suspects detained in the operation had provided loans to citizens and tradespeople at high interest rates, receiving large amounts of checks and promissory notes in return.

100 MILLION LIRA IN GAINS

It was determined that the suspects, who committed crimes including organized loan sharking, aggravated extortion, deprivation of liberty, aggravated threats, and aggravated fraud, had carried out a total of 7 criminal acts. The teams revealed that the suspects had generated a total of 100 million lira in illicit gains through money obtained from victims, property title deeds, and signed checks and promissory notes.

8 PISTOLS AND 10 RIFLES SEIZED

During searches conducted at the suspects' addresses, 8 pistols, 10 rifles, 1,456 cartridges, 2 steel safes, 157 title deed documents, 42 documents in the form of checks and promissory notes, 115 signed blank documents, a real estate sales promise contract, 3 vehicle registrations, 20 vehicle keys believed to belong to victims, 16 digital materials, and 14 agendas and folders containing criminal records were seized as evidence of the crimes. 

The suspects, whose procedures at the police station were completed, have been referred to the courthouse. 

News Source: 12punto