Journalists beware: Fraud committed with fake press cards

Antalya Police Department KOM teams determined that suspects, who were broadcasting news via social media applications under the name of the Kriminal Polis Haberleri Gazetesi (Criminal Police News Newspaper), which is the newspaper of the Istanbul-based Çağdaş Polis Emeklileri Dayanışma Derneği (Contemporary Police Retirees Solidarity Association), were issuing unauthorized press cards and press vehicle cards. The suspects were aware that, under Press Law No. 5187, a press card is an official document and that the only authority empowered to issue press cards is the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, yet they still issued these cards to obtain unfair financial gain.

FRAUD WITH FAKE PRESS CARDS

Based on a MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) report, investigations revealed that the suspects had defrauded citizens of approximately 600 thousand Turkish liras by using the association's name to issue fake press cards and press vehicle cards. As a result of the operations, individuals identified as Ali C., Enes B., Kadir B., Ali., Uğur K., and Hakan T. were detained in a simultaneous operation.

Judicial proceedings have been initiated against the 6 suspects for the crimes of "Qualified Fraud and Forgery of Official Documents." During searches conducted at their residences, workplaces, and vehicles, authorities seized 6 press cards deemed to be fake, 5 press vehicle cards, 4 radio permits, 4 radios, 11 press vests, 6 association membership cards, 1 association journalist certificate, 23 photocopies of documents, 1 notepad, 1 Police Newspaper authorization document, 1 handgun, and 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

News Source: İHA